Thousands of people - some estimates say nearly one hundred thousand - marched from the White House to the Capitol on Saturday 16, in protest of the war in Iraq.
Iraq war veterans were at the front of the march, with groups and individuals from all around the country following behind. After reaching the Capitol, the protesters staged a dramatic "die-in" to symbolize all the soldiers and civilians that have been killed in this war.
Nearly 200 people were arrested at the Capitol, including many war veterans.
There were counter-protesters lining the streets during parts of the route, waving flags and signs of their own. With angry people on both sides, many heated exchanges occurred.
"Treason! Treason!" yelled one counter-protester. "Dissent is patriotic!" responded an anti-war protester.
The protesters' political beliefs ranged from revolutionary to conservative. The one thing they all had in common was a desire to end the war in Iraq.
The protest was organized by ANSWER Coalition and other groups.
"War and occupation...will never lead to liberation! That's bulls***, get off it, this war is for profit!" chanted protesters.
At least 10 Knoxville residents attended the protest in Washington, D.C., but Knoxville had an anti-war protest of its own on Saturday. Located near the West Town Mall, they were met with a supportive response from passing motorists. There are possible plans of having a larger anti-war rally in Knoxville in March to coincide with the fifth-year anniversary of the occupation.
There will be another mass protest in Washington, D.C. on September 29 sponsored by the Troops Out Now Coalition.
If you are interested in going to the Sept. 29, protest or want more information about campus anti-war activities, e-mail psa@utk.edu.
Comments
Tyler Lewelling commented, on September 18, 2007 at 10:12 p.m.:
I'm in DC on internship this semester and there was no way there was 100,000 people. I saw it. It had to be around 2,000. You should have also mentioned the the large counter protest which included congressman Duncan Hunter, Iraqi veterans and other called "The Gathering of Eagles". You could also mention that some of these protesters burned American flags and injured several policeman. I saw some of this with my own eyes. It's ridiculous that some of these people act like this. It is their right to be there to voice their opinion, but if you burn OUR flag, wrap yourself in it first. There was no need for these people to act like this. What does injuring police officers solve?
any comments? email me at tylerlew@utk.edu
Russell McSpadden commented, on September 18, 2007 at 11:49 p.m.:
I was also there at the march, and there were far more than 2,000 protesters. Just look at photographs of the event. Tyler's comments must be taken in context of his blatant lie. Yes, some protesters got out of hand, but this occured on both sides, including the "Eagles" as they are called.
Tyler commented, on September 19, 2007 at 10:55 a.m.:
blatant lie? be mature. All I was saying is that she could have included all the information in her article about both sides.
Jessica commented, on September 19, 2007 at 2:12 p.m.:
I'm sorry I failed to include some of this information. I realize that some people, on both sides, overreacted. I wasn't aware of everything that happened that you saw, Tyler. It wasn't an intentional omission. As far as the number of people there, I got the number from the Washington Post, who admitted that only the organizers had the estimate of 100,000. That is why I said "some estimates" rather than say that was the exact number. But there were far more than 2,000, that is for sure. I do not condone the injuring of police officers, but that was not the point of the story.
Tyler commented, on September 19, 2007 at 10:18 p.m.:
I completely understand. 2,000 was probably not really an accurate estimate either, I just thought that 100,000 was a large over estimate. I just wanted to point out that this was supposed to be a protest for peace, and some chose to act violently. The article almost sounded like it was too much in favor of the protest, so I wanted to add the other information. Thanks for your comments.
Jessica commented, on September 20, 2007 at 12:26 a.m.:
I was there for the protest, not to report it. I don't pretend to be neutral on the issue. Note the disclaimer. Thanks for your input.
TAKE ACTION commented, on September 20, 2007 at 3:28 a.m.:
For Excellent Karma please post this in another comments section, anywhere ;-)
STOP ALL CONTRIBUTIONS/DONATIONS TO DEMS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER! GET IMPEACHMENT BACK ON THE TABLE! SPREAD THE WORD!
Thank you
lorax commented, on September 21, 2007 at 3:57 p.m.:
I was there. The march went from Lafaette Park (in front of the White House) to the grounds of the Capitol. A distance of 20 city blocks (including the jog around the Treasury and the jog just before the Capitol. It was shoulder to shoulder, belly to butt, stop and go. Pennsylvania Avenue is very wide, say eight lanes. I got into the "back of the march" at the Park when the front had already reached the Capitol. When I reached the Capitol the crowd still stretched back to 17th Street. So let's say the march was eight lanes wide and two miles long. If it were cars we would be four per car eight cars across for 16 across. But we we closer and without cars so let's say 32 across. Let's say a car is 18 feet long, that would take 611 cars to go the length of Penn Ave, twice. 32 times 611 makes about 20,000 people - if we were car lengths apart. But I was hardly ever more than arms length from the nearest person in front or behind. So double that and you get 40,000. I think that is on the conservative side because it does not count the thousands lined along the Avenue.
The true number is closer to the sponsors estimate then the AP estimate of several thousand. That estimate is laughable. Two thousand people stretched for two miles on an avenue as wide as Penn Ave. would not look at all like what it looked like. And the 200 arrested would be one in ten!
The laughably low estimates are crude ways the Admin (Park Police, Secret Police, etc.) has of minimizing the depth and strength of the people who are fed up with this corrupt administration and its lies and its wars.
linda commented, on September 29, 2007 at 9:28 a.m.:
Does any one have information about the march today, Sept.29, Sat.? I know some people going there and was wondering how big it is supposed to be. It is the last day of a week long protest against the war.