Featuring audio of veteran Eli Israel and other protesters. [2:22]

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At left, Iraq war veteran Eli Israel speaks during the September 15, 2007, march on Washington, DC, to end the Iraq war. Right, Tonus protests.

Anti-war protesters walk along Pennsylvania Ave.

An anti-war protester, left, discusses the Iraq war with a counter-protester at a barricade erected along Pennsylvania Ave during the September 15, 2007, march on Washington, DC, to end the Iraq war.

A woman watches over a prop casket at the September 15, 2007, march on Washington, DC, to end the Iraq war. According to witnesses, Carlos Arredondo, about whom this site previously reported, the father of slain Marine Lance Corporal Alexander “Alex” Arrendondo, was pulling the casket when a man attacked the casket, pulling items and pictures from the top. After chasing and tackling the man to retrieve items, Arredondo was subsequently attacked by counter-demonstrators until the scene was disbursed by the police.

Lcpl. Alex Arrendondo was killed by a sniper while in the battle of An Najaf, Iraq on August 25, 2004.

Ana Rodriguez of Florida, left, and a young masked man protest at the barricades at the US Capitol building.

Capitol police officers stand in riot gear behind a metal barrier to guard the US Capitol building from protesters during the September 15, 2007, march on Washington, DC, to end the Iraq war.

Capitol Police (left), a protester falls after being sprayed with pepper spray by police at the barricades on the US Capitol building.

Protesters wait at the barricades and in the trees on the Capitol grounds
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Connie Harris of Columbus, Ohio, at the base of the US Capitol steps and walkway following the September 15, 2007, march on Washington, DC, to end the Iraq war while Capitol Police sweep the area. At right, the sun sets at the west end of the National Mall.

Related Photo Journal Entries:
Protest Rally Point Brings Counter-Protesters Out in Large Numbers, Arrests – Saturday, March 17, 2007.
The United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War – Jan 7, 2007.
White House Sidewalk Protest Leads to Arrest of About 370 – Tuesday, September 27, 2005
United for Peace & Justice Anti-War March – September 24, 2005
America Stands with Cindy, Vigil at the White House – Thursday, August 18, 2005
‘Downing Street Memo’ Letter Draws 550,000 Signatures, White House Protest – June 16, 2005

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When anti-war protesters set up “Camp Casey,” rallied on the Mall, and surrounded the White House in September 2005, counter-demonstrators numbered around 200. This January, when an “Out of Iraq” rally marched on the capitol building, counter-protesters numbered about 50. When organizers planned yesterday’s March on the Pentagon, it didn’t excite much attention. “Basically thats what we fought for and died for,” said Col. Harry Riley March 7th on The Bob Franz Show.

But at the same time, anti-war protest organizers announced plans to use the area behind the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall as a staging and rally point prior to the march on the Pentagon, Col. Riley and thousands of other veterans began to organize. He said, “That raised red flags and basically created a spontaneous action amongst veterans and Americans in general that says ‘wait a minute.’”

“The anti-war movement,” Col. Riley continued during the interview, “has a tendency to be completely willing to damage, destroy, desecrate, or dishonor historic places and memorials maybe that are to our fallen warriors, you know maybe our medal of honor winners. And that was demonstrated in Washington, D.C. just in January when that anti-war rally people vandalized and damaged the capitol and we basically said ‘That’s not gonna happen.’”

Counter-protesters were organized through the Gathering of Eagles website. There were Internet reports of threats of paint and chisels or urine-filled balloons against the Wall. Veterans were soon signing up to travel to D.C. to visit, honor, and protect their Wall.

Roger Smithey, left, of North Carolina, who fought in Vietnam and said anti-war rallies weakened America’s resolve to fight the Vietnam war, rebuts protesters with his middle finger on Lincoln Memorial Circle, directly behind the Lincoln Memorial. Smithey later said, “I’ve got friends on that wall. It took me fifteen years to ever face it… You know, they gave- I’m not a hero, those are the heroes, the ones that gave their lives.”

Organizers said as many as 30,000 arrived from each side. The Press of Atlantic City reports that organizers say 60 bus loads of Anti-war protesters canceled as a result of Friday night’s extreme weather.

As the anti-war protest began at the Pentagon, United States Park police waited on the D.C. side of the Arlington Memorial Bridge for signs of any action, but left shortly after this photo was taken.

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, Marine Ken Ballinger, who came to D.C. as part of “Gathering of Eagles,” takes a graphite rubbing of the name of his uncle and namesake, PFC Kenneth W. Lanter, who died February 19, 1966, when his helicopter crashed in South Vietnam.

Carl A. Nielsen of Washington D.C., a marine veteran of Vietnam, was also concerned with the possibility that damage could come to the Wall, so he sat all day greeting visitors with a message that would reconcile both viewpoints. “Thank you for visiting our wall. Thank you for understanding that this represents the price this nation pays for the freedom to speak freely in public without fear.” [listen .mp3]

This is what happened in D.C. after the Washington Post story left off…

At 3:45 p.m. demonstrators from the Pentagon rally arrived back in D.C. causing clashes at the bridge. As demonstrators rushed into the city and dispersed, police chased them on bicycles.

Police tackle and handcuff a protester who was running away during a foot chase on Constitution Avenue. According to an overheard phone call, protesters allegedly threw objects at U.S. Park Police.

Police caught up with two protesters, making arrests at 22nd and Constitution, NW. The police were surrounded with about a hundred protesters taunting to “Let them go” until backup forces arrived in large numbers, scattering off most of the assembled protesters.

Michael Rigby bangs a peace drum for protesters and police as Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police arrest two protesters.

Tens of thousands of protesters, many chanting “USA” and ” Si­, se puede,” rallied today in Washington for immigrant rights in a boisterous demonstration that Latino organizers hope will lead to a permanent movement.

The rally on the Mall — a venue that was the stage for other social movements, such as civil rights for African Americans in the 1960s and opposition of the Vietnam War in the 1970s — comes as Congress is bitterly divided over how to deal with the nation’s 11 million illegal immigrants. Organizers said they were confident today’s event will boost the political capital of the nation’s largest minority group.

My Photos:

Adrian Vera, 18, of Baltimore, originally from Mexico, climbed a human tower to wave an American flag at the National Day of Action for Immigrant Justice.

Tanya E.T., 20, of Washington, D.C. Her button reads “no human being is illegal.”

The National Mall was filled with tens of thousands of immigrants, spurred on by House Resolution 4437, which would declare all illegal immigrants felons.

Juan Carlos Ruiz rallies the crowd at the end of the demonstration.

My photos are below. Click on the first photo for a larger version.

Crowd Photo