Protesters return
Jeremy Pelzer
Contributing writer
Katy Mull
The Daily Illini
Al Kagan (left), University employee, and Robert Wahlfeldt (right), of Champaign, stand at the intersection of Prospect and Marketview in Champaign on Saturday afternoon to protest the U.S. action in Iraq. In response to some drivers that heckled them earlier, World War II veteran Wahlfeldt says, "I'm a veteran too and I have the right to say what I believe in." |
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After a three-month hiatus, anti-war activists returned to Prospect Avenue on Saturday afternoon to protest American foreign policy in Iraq and elsewhere.
About 25 protesters lined up along the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Marketview Drive for two hours, waving signs and passing out fliers.
"We're just trying to make it known that we're still dissatisfied with what's going on," said Gabe Stanton, the main organizer of the demonstration. "We're trying to get more of a public presence."
The protest was organized by the group Prospect for Peace, which was created by local activist group AWARE, the Anti-War Anti-Racism Effort. Saturday's protest was the first held by the group since April, when hundreds of pro- and anti-war activists held competing rallies at the intersection.
Mark Thompson, organizer of the spring pro-war rallies and owner of the nearby Slot and Wings hobby store, said he was not planning any counter-protests to oppose the new anti-war demonstrations.
"There's a time for it," he said.
Hot weather and busy schedules prevented any anti-war demonstrations during the summer, said protester Maiko Covington, an Urbana resident.
Unlike the spring anti-war rallies in which many University students participated, nearly all of Saturday's demonstrators were middle-aged, and included labor union members and war veterans.
"We'd like to see some University students come out," said protester Durl Kruse.
Holding a sign reading "The rest of the world was right," and "Bring the troops home," Kruse, a resident of Mattoon, Ill., said he would continue to demonstrate "until the U.S. foreign policy on terrorism changes."
"There's no end in sight," Kruse said of the conflict in Iraq. "People need to recognize that it's still a very important problem that we need to address."
With a presidential election next year, "people are going to have to decide where they stand very shortly," he said.
Kruse was then interrupted by a man in a black SUV who leaned out of his window and shouted, "The only reason you can do that is because someone fought for you."
"No, it's the Constitution and the Bill of Rights," Kruse replied.
However, Kruse said that for every motorist who yelled criticism, three to four cars honked in support.
AWARE member Dr. Susan Parenti said the protest was not meant to force opinions onto others.
"It's meant to start a conversation," she said. "That's why we're going where traffic is stopped."
Stanton said demonstrations are tentatively scheduled for the first Saturday of each month — however, AWARE members plan to discuss holding weekly protests, he said.
Thompson said he wasn't surprised the demonstrations have started up again.
"It's the same group, it always is, I'm sure," Thompson said. "The liberal left is organizing again. The Democrats are running for office — it's a Bush bash. All these picketers are picking up on that storyline.
"There are hard times in the world today," he said. "There is no easy solution, no matter who's at the helm."
Pointing at the line of demonstrators, Thompson said, "It's not going to be answered here."
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