ATLANTA - The one-year anniversary of the war in Iraq inspired several hundred protesters, including a large number of high school and college students, to gather for a rally and march in Atlanta Saturday.
"I think in a Democratic society, any dialogue like this is one of the things that allows us to have the rights we have," said Andy Sunshine, 19, a student at Peachtree Ridge High School.
Carrying a sign that read "Bush Lied," Sunshine said "the whole justification for the war in Iraq was a fabrication."
A group of Spelman College students said they were inspired by a class to attend the rally.
"We're in a class about social movement, and that is why we're here," said senior Yondi Morris.
Added Rainey Jackson, another senior: "This is my first time at anything like this."
The rally, held in front of the Israeli Consulate in downtown Atlanta, attracted many who protested Israel's occupation of Palestine as well as the U.S. effort in Iraq. The Atlanta chapter of the International Action Center organized the coalition of 20 to 25 groups represented at the rally.
"We think we reflect the sentiment of people who said from the beginning the Bush administration was fabricating the reason for the war," said rally organizer Diane Mathiowetz. "We feel as though we have been totally vindicated, they have not found the biological or nuclear weapons. We are demanding the end of all occupation."
Mathiowetz credited what she called a good turnout to the large number of young people.
PEACE VIGILS
A number of people gathered in downtown Gainesville at noon Satuday for a peace vigil. That's the same part of town that was the scene early last year of anti-war marches and a rally that supported the President and a possible war with Iraq.
There was a more somber tone to a candlelight vigil held Saturday night at the Decatur Courthouse Square. Dozens of protesters lined the street and held candles and small signs bearing the names of Americans who have died in Iraq in the last year.
There were other candlelight vigils held at the Cobb Courthouse in Marietta and at Woodruff Library in the Atlanta University Center.
One of a group of 10 who attended the rally to oppose the protesters was Iraqi-American Kaise Urfali, 46, who said, "These people have no clue, they have no idea about the meaning of terrorism and the meaning of freedom."
"These protesters talk in the name of Iraq and none of them are from Iraq, none of them lived in the terror," said Urfali.
Saturday's rally was his first time as a protester.
"My family has lived in exile from Iraq since 1958," Urfali said. "This is my last stop and I'm going to fight for my freedom. I was denied the freedom to speak my mind until now."
The anniversary of the war also attracted veteran protesters.
"I've been attending these events since college when I marched against the war in Vietnam. That was wrong from the beginning, just like this is," said Susan Campbell, 53. Campbell said she is not loyal to any political party.
Tuesday
October 8th, 2024
12:38AM
