Peace group joins San Francisco anti-war protest
By Ben Vick
Thousands of protesters, including some Santa Clara students, took to the streets Saturday to voice their disapproval of the United States' involvement in the Iraqi war.
Passionate activists, young and old, marched to express their dissatisfaction and anger with President Bush's recently announced plan to increase troop levels in Iraq in hopes of bringing American troops home and end the conflict.
Over ten members from the newly organized anti-war student group, Students Together Organizing for Peace, were present. "We were definitely recognized," said co-founder Nicole Brand-Cousy. "People were encouraging."
STOP is committed to supporting a "culture of activism" at Santa Clara.
While being a part of the protest was a success for the group, Brand-Cousy made sure to point out that much more needed to be done. It was "disheartening to not see many young people there," she said.
At the front of the demonstration, the word "IMPEACH" was spelled out in large block letters held up on poles. STOP members moved with the crowd from the intersection of Powell and Market Streets toward the Embarcadero, finally stopping in front of Pier 31.
Banners with messages such as, "Shut Down the War Machine," and, "Bush: Step Down," were held high as loudspeakers blared "Investigate the Bush regime." Amid various floats, a massive copy of the 9/11 Commission Report, full of bullet holes, was wheeled down the street.
In the midst of youths wearing black and white bandanas over their faces, a middle-aged woman named Lynn sang the preamble of the U.S. Constitution while waving an American flag with a peace sign on it.
"I want my Constitution back," she said.
With a sign stating, "Free Iraq," a bearded man who would not give his name said he had attended the event to show his displeasure with the war.
"We gotta keep screaming," he said, "if we want the end of the occupation of Iraq."
Drums and loud music accompanied the crowds as they marched along the city streets, surrounded on both sides by police officers and patrol vehicles. News helicopters circled overhead, adding to the deafening noise and stirring the spirits and emotions of the protesters.
There to "make some noise," Kelly, a student at University of California, Santa Cruz, with dreadlocks and an African drum strapped to her shoulder, was among those marching. "I'm here to voice my displeasure with the system, the false democracy," she said.
One person had to be taken away by ambulance after falling off of a bicycle. The blood-soaked towel left behind from the incident was a discomforting addition to the protest, but the rally maintained its peaceful nature for the rest of the afternoon.
The end of the march coincided with the Alcatraz Hornblowers' picket, which took place in front of Pier 31. The Hornblowers have been picketing for months, claiming they have been forced to endure unfair labor practices.
Both protests joining into one created a dramatic end to the march.
Atop a flatbed truck parked in the middle of the street, through loudspeakers pointing in all directions, protesters proclaimed, "We can stop this war."
Contact Ben Vick at bvick@scu.edu.