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Photo Slideshow: March to End the Iraq War, September 15, 2007
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tweuGP2Dbe0]
Featuring audio of veteran Eli Israel and other protesters. [2:22]
Photo Album: March to End the Iraq War, September 15, 2007
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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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Protest Rally Point Brings Counter-Protesters Out in Large Numbers, Arrests
[MORE IMAGES! - Purchase prints or license images from this collection. 52 images total. Visit the gallery at PhotoShelter.]
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.
The United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War : Photo Album
Please visit PhotoShelter for an album of photos from The United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War.
Daisy Merkowitz and her mother Molly Savitz from Washington, D.C., hold a sign with a war “piggy” prior to the United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War.
A view from beside the stage at the rally prior to the United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War.
Jane Fonda speaks to what she said was her first anti-war rally for the first time in 34 years prior to the United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War.
The effigy of Jane Fonda, hung by counter-protesters from Free Republic at the United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War. The sign reads “Jane Fonda American Traitor Bitch.”
Kristinn Taylor of Free Republic counter-protests behind a barrier fence at the United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War.
The United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War is led by a front row of people that included Sean Penn, Jesse Jackson, Susan Sarandon, and Tim Robbins
Jim Nichols and his husband Victor Peters, both of Washington, D.C., display peace symbols at the United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War.
Musicians march at the United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War.
Protesters march along Independence Avenue at the United for Peace and Justice March on Washington to End the Iraq War.
Jeff Gannon at Rally for Families, Becomes Liberal Gannon Fodder
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When I saw Jeff Gannon at first on Sunday, I did a double take. Oh sure I’ve seen him around town before, specifically outside of the Tom DeLay support dinner I covered back in May, but this time he was literally standing right next to me when I glanced to my right, and he caught me off guard. “Oh, It’s Jeff Gannon,” I thought, “Big deal.” It was only later in the day when he began calling out to protesters across the street that I felt his presence at the rally was photo-newsworthy.
Well apparently my fellow liberal bloggers are so fascinated by this simple photo of Gannon that they can’t help but make Gannon-fodder out of him. “He’s fat.” “He must be cruising.” “He loves war.” All our Base Are Belong to Him. I suppose this is the political discourse in the age of the Internet, much like Revolutionary politics consisted of slandering opponents over a pint of ale. Personally, I’m kinda sick of it.
I try to approach everything I do fairly and with an open mind. Let me tell you what I observed. Gannon was apparently alone. He didn’t appear to know the young man holding the sign. I never saw him cruising. He stood quietly at the front barrier of the rally, applauded at the speakers, and shook hands of the handful of people who came up to greet him.
After the rally ended, he walked behind the stage to the sidewalk across the street from the 30 or so anti-war protesters, and began taking pot-shots from the gallery of protesters, many of whom were dressed like anarchists (as opposed to the rally on Saturday which brought out every corner of the mainstream). Gannon smiled, waved, and shouted, “Thank you all for coming!” several times. Sure he was a smartass when he said it, but he was saying it to people who were just screaming the nastiest things to him that I’d prefer not to print on this journal.
I just don’t get why people care about Gannon. Really, I mean here’s a guy who was an accidental tourist to the White House and he got caught asking lame questions. I’m not convinced that he was sleeping with anyone inside, nor that anyone in the White House even knew of his alleged past. Gannon surely isn’t the first questioner to suck-up in his queries to the White House. And he’s certainly not the first amateur journalist trying to do something in the age of new media. He may be a symptom of media manipulation by this administration, but he’s not worth getting all worked up over, is he?
I suppose the photo was an easy target to ridicule Gannon and the 400 or so people who attended the “Rally to Honor the Families of the Military.” It sure is easy to grab a photo and paste it next to a sentence or two of insults toward military widows and call it a blog. Bloggers who make a decent commentary or good satire I can appreciate. But sometimes comments from visitors are unworthy of the decent people we are supposed to be.
When I arrived at the rally, the stage was filled with families who had lost a loved one in this war: someone’s father, identical twin brother, son, daughter… Many attendees have a family member at war right now. The rally was filled with genuine and kind people. There was a lot of pain in their eyes. These families of dead service members hurt as much as Cindy Sheehan, and may need something stronger than themselves to cling to. Some parents may have only a triangularly folded flag to cry into. Some of these parents worry about their children every moment of the day, and in their nightmares. You may not agree with their positions, but these are your fellow countrymen in a time of war. They have given their flesh and blood to our country, and they deserve our respect.
LCpl Bryan Patrick Kelly died in Iraq. I shook the hand of his father, Mr. Patrick Kelly, after he told me his son’s name for my notes. And I said thank you and that I was sorry for his loss. Mr. Kelly loves his son and he loves his country, and I can see how he and others who support our actions in Iraq may have genuine anger at many in the left, like the anarchists who reportedly burned an American flag at their counter-protest across the street, or the Left’s extreme speakers who honor communists and anti-Americans.
Why didn’t progressives come out in droves to an event called “Rally to Honor the Families of the Military?” I survived. Truly, progressives would have felt uncomfortable with the speakers and the message of “stay the course.” Some speakers were very angry with Cindy Sheehan especially.
But what if 500 progressives had come out to support the troops, but refused to applaud at a “stay the course” or anti-Sheehan message. What if 500 for-the-troops-but-against-the-war people had come to the rally and started quiet personal conversations with the people there, asking them why they support the war? No preaching. No name calling. No “Bush sucks” T-shirts. No trying to change minds on the spot. Just quiet personal real conversations. Or even to show up and say “Hon, I am so sorry you are worried about your son every day. I have such a tough time supporting the administration, but I want to let you know I want your son’s mission to be successful and for him to come home safely.”
One thing I did notice is that the rally for the families was very white, middle aged, military type people. The anti-war rally was all ages, every race but mostly white like the make-up of America, with a lot of different religious representation. And yes, the reports are true. There was no unity in message. But what the march lacked in unity, it made up in size. Surely most of these people were on the same track, and will likely bring that message back home.
So Gannon sightings are like the “Runaway Bride” of the blogosphere. There you go. There’s two new pictures of Gannon. Do we all feel more satisfied or are we tired of it yet? There was so much pain on display in Washington this weekend. When will we get away from this shit-for-discourse and begin having real conversations with people?
Forget the paparrazzi photos. Visit my photos of the rallies. I virtually surfed a wave of protesters this weekend to get some cool stuff. If you haven’t seen the pictures, visit:
Friday: Camp Casey DC
Saturday: Huge Anti-war March
Sunday: Honor Military Families
Sunday night: Prayer Revival
Monday: Prayer and Disobedience
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