Anti-War Rally at the Pentagon

On C-Span, I watched today's anti-war rally outside the Pentagon, catching the event after it started. The initial group of speakers included Cynthia McKinney, Cindy Sheehan, Michael Berg, a couple of Muslims and several others who all complained of the cold outside. Red plastic pails were passed around for donations.

From various camera shots, I'd estimate no more than 10 thousand in attendance at the peak. The content was mostly bumper-sticker leftist sloganeering addressing impeachment of Bush and Cheney with AG Gonzalez's name thrown in as an occasional afterthought.

Then there were these people:

- A woman named Gloria LaRiva wants to free the Cuban five and keep the U.S. out of Cuba.

- Giuliana Sgrena, Italian journalist and activist -- Said there is no security, no water, and no work in Iraq. Indicates that she wants U.S. bases out of Italy but the Italian government won't comply so the Americans must leave Iraq first.

- Rocky Anderson, Mayor of Salt Lake City -- Very energetic calls for impeachment of Bush. "We will not tolerate abuse of treaties, kidnapping and disappearance of citizens."

- Melida Arredondo, Gold Star Mothers for Peace, step-mom of soldier killed in Iraq -- Said the Bush administration is at war with immigrants. The Iraq War is being fought by immigrants who are not citizens. Discussed last week's ICE raid in Massachusetts, including the story of the baby torn from a nursing mother's arms. Said they weren't even illegal, they were just undocumented.

- Carlos Arredondo, son killed in Iraq, part of hip-hop caucus traveling the U.S. -- Said he's protecting his son's honor. "Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!"

- Debra Sweet, World Can't Wait National Coordinator -- "Impeach! Impeach! Impeach! Drive out the Bush regime!" Need more protests. We need to resist and have shipments blocked at ports. We need George Bush in handcuffs.

- Efia Nwangaza, Not In Our Name -- Demanded Bush be tried for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Calls for tax protest on April 15th.

- Brian Becker, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coordinator -- Said U.S. exploits land, labor and resources of countries throughout the world. Military recruiters will be confronted in schools and communities.

- Imam Mahdi Bray, Muslim American Society -- End the war today! "Bush lied and put wounded soldiers in rat-infested housing." Poverty, health care, Katrina mentioned. By the way, Katrina was mentioned by many speakers.

- Leah Obias, Alliance for Justice Not War in the Philippines -- "U.S. Imperialists! No. 1 Terrorists!" U.S, imperialists are destroying the Philippines causing immigration to America. "We, Filipino women refuse to join this war on terror." U.S. military is back in Philippines oppressing progressives. "Long live international solidarity!"

- Ben Depuy, National Popular Party of Haiti -- Wants more American dollars for Latin America, South America. Quoted Hugo Chavez throughout. We need socialism for the 21st century.. "Down with capitalism!"

- Chuck Kauffman, Nicaraugua Network National Coordinator -- 700 military bases unneeded, school of assassins at Ft. Benning, we need to turn from protest to resistance - Stop business as usual in cities and towns - Spend money on schools, health care - "Hands off Cuba, Venezuela, and Columbia!"

- Maria Magallanes, Mexico Solidarity Network Education Coordinator -- "No war in Palestine, no war on the border!"

- Larry Holmes, Troops Out Now Coalition -- "Imperialism abroad is not all we are fighting, we have police brutality at home, Katrina, racism against immigrant workers, deportations, ..."

- Jihan Hafiz, Youth for Truth -- Demand end to military-industrial complex. Need to resist, can't count on politicians. "Resist, Resist, Raise up your fist!"

- Unnamed, Party for Socialism spokesgirl -- Said all the problems are from capitalism. We need socialism. Credited with confronting the "fascist Minutemen" on a campus somewhere.

- Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, National Lawyers Guild, Partnership for Civil Justice Co-founder -- Bush is buiding an empire for himself which only helps Hallibuton, corporate sponsors. We want our kids to have their lives back.

Mahdi Bray closes by telling everyone to resist. Protest and resist!

At about 4 pm, the event concluded with Eugene Puryear, A.N.S.W.E.R. Coordinator, announcing website addresses and pleading for people to get involved and contribute.

At the end, the shivering crowd had dwindled to, I'd guess, 2,000-2,500 people and they dispersed quickly. There were announcements about busses leaving for Boston. I saw three. One, I think I saw twice.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.