Over 300 people participated in an anti-war protest in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis between 1 and 2 pm on Saturday, December 23.
While news reports indicate the Bush Administration is planning to send additional troops to Iraq and the U.S. combat death toll in Iraq nears 3,000, many Twin Citians welcomed the opportunity to make their anti-war views visible.
Participants lined up along busy Hennepin Avenue with signs and banners calling for an end to the war and the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Anti-war holiday songs where led by singers from the Counter-Propaganda Coalition.
During the hour-long event there was a constrant stream of people honking in support as they drove their cars past the event. Several passersby took signs and joined in the protest. One organizer said that the turnout was much larger than had been expected.
Mike Perkins, a member of Military Families Speak Out, an organization of people with family members and loved ones in the U.S. military, spoke to the crowd as the event wrapped up. “Bush wants to escalate this war, but most rationale people know that sending more troops will not resolve the problems in Iraq,” Perkins said. “The surge that Bush is planning will solve nothing.”
A statement issued by organizers says in part, “The Bush administration is discussing a plan to send more U.S. troops to Iraq to fight in a war that the majority of the people of the U.S. have rejected.
As the holiday season approaches, these celebrations of peace are overshadowed by the continuing U.S. war in Iraq. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died as well as nearly 3,000 U.S. military personnel."
The statement goes on to say, 'The war in Iraq was never about weapons of mass destruction, terrorism or democracy. This is a war about control of the oil resources of the region. The majority of the people of Iraq want U.S. troops out of their country and the majority of the people of the U.S. want the troops out."
Santa Claus made a special appearance at the event and also spoke to the crowd. “On behalf of the citizens of the North Pole, I'm here to say ‘Bring the troops home from Iraq.’ My list also includes taking care of our soldiers when they get here. I'm not sure about how much coal I'm going to be able to unload on the White House — but the reindeer are willing to haul a bunch to send a message."
Announcements were made about upcoming local protests that will be part of nationally coordinated anti-war actions, including Saturday, January 27 and Sunday, March 18. Plans are also being made to hold an emergency vigil on the Lake Street/Marshall Ave. bridge over the Mississippi River starting at 5:00PM on the day after the announ cement of the 3000th U.S. military death in Iraq.
The December 23 was organized by the Iraq Peace Action Coalition, Anti-War Committee, Military Families Speak Out, Women Against Military Madness, Twin Cities Peace Campaign-Focus on Iraq and others. For more information, call 612-522-4861.
The residents of St Paul are doing their part as well. The other day Merriam Park Neighbors for Peace sponsored a Winter Solstice Peace Vigil. Around 60 persons turned out that evening. Below are some photos from that event.
That is so great to see Santa and everyone out in the snow!
I love Minneapolis!!!!! I would like to clone it and spread it around!!
Posted by: DiAnne | December 23, 2006 at 10:36 PM