Demonstrators Raise
Voices Against War
Protests in D.C., Nationally Observe
Human Rights Day
By Manny Fernandez, Washington
Post,
December 11, 2002
Antiwar activists marked International Human
Rights Day yesterday in Washington with several demonstrations that
began with morning blockades of U.S. military recruitment centers
and ended with a peaceful evening rally outside the offices of a
group promoting the liberation of Iraq.
The demonstrations were part of a national day of protests held 54
years to the day after the United Nations adopted the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights. Rallies, marches and teach-ins
were held at 120 locations in 37 states, from New York to North
Carolina to Alaska, organizers said.
Events were coordinated by United for
Peace, a new coalition that includes such groups as the National
Organization for Women, the National Council of Churches and Black
Voices for Peace. Dozens of activists opposing a war with Iraq were
arrested on charges of civil disobedience across the country, including
in Washington, New York, Chicago and Oakland, Calif., organizers said.
During the morning demonstrations in the
District, scuffles broke out shortly after 10:30 when six protesters who
had been blocking the entrance to the Armed Forces Recruiting Center at
14th and L streets NW for an hour were arrested, D.C. police said. The
activists had attempted to push their way inside. Police said they were
arrested for blocking the entrances or exits of a building, a
misdemeanor. No other incidents were reported.
Activists denounced the military's
enlistment efforts, saying the push was targeting young people and
minorities for an unjust war with Iraq. About two dozen supporters
chanted slogans outside the center as the protesters blocked the doorway
and D.C. police looked on. Protesters ripped up Selective Service System
forms and dumped them on an antiwar banner. Earlier, they had briefly
blocked the entrance of the Army National Guard recruiting office at
12th and F streets NW. The office did not open at 9 as scheduled.
"Just marching and having rallies isn't
enough," said Adam Eidinger, 29, a D.C. organizer who explained why he
and others were willing to be arrested. "We have to do direct action to
stop these recruiters from tricking young people into fighting for oil .
. . and corporate interests."
Shortly after noon, about 400 antiwar
activists rallied at Farragut Square and marched past the White House to
demand that the Bush administration pursue a peaceful resolution to the
conflict with Iraq. The demonstration was led by groups including senior
citizen activists from the Bethesda and Chevy Chase area and the
District office of the American Friends Service Committee, the social
service branch of the Quakers.
"Look around. See how many people are
here of my age," said Alison Oldham, 73, a Montgomery County Quaker who
was one of a few dozen seniors who marched in the cold. "A lot of
seniors are involved in this because we've seen so much. You look back
at the cemeteries in France and everywhere, and it's so sad. War is such
a useless thing."
At a third rally, about 35 demonstrators
gathered about 4:30 p.m. outside offices of the Committee for the
Liberation of Iraq on Pennsylvania Avenue SE. The organization lobbies
for U.S. action to remove Saddam Hussein from power and establish a
democratic government.
"As a front group for Washington's
pro-war lobby, the CLI is determined to increase America's reliance on
military power in conducting foreign affairs," organizer Erik Gustafson
said.
On the sidewalks outside the recruiting
centers in the morning, other activists -- including several college and
high school students -- denounced recently enacted federal laws
requiring high schools to provide military recruiters with access to
students and contact information for juniors and seniors. "They have
basically a captive audience," said Rae Valentine, 25, an activist with
the Anti-Capitalist Convergence, part of the local coalition that
organized the protest.
Military officials have said the
information is used for recruiting only, does not infringe on students'
privacy and could counter a decline in the number of people who inquire
about enlisting.
Shortly before 2:30 p.m., both centers
remained closed. But Dave Fitz, a Navy district recruiting spokesman,
said that though the front doors were locked, Navy recruiting went on
inside. "We continued on with our mission," he said. "We're in service
to our country to protect the rights of these people to express
themselves."
Staff writers Monte Reel and
Elaine Rivera contributed to this report.
© 2002 The Washington
Post Company
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A37271-2002Dec10.html
