Boston pacifists protest Iraq War
Rally draws 10,000 as part of national day of dissent
Ashley Portero
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: News
An army's worth of empty boots were laid in rows on the swampy grass of the Boston Common on Saturday afternoon. Although they initially appeared to be nothing more than old, beat-up shoes, each pair of boots was marked with the name, age and rank of all 156 soldiers from New England who have died since the Iraq war began.
This exhibition was only one part of the protest organized by New England United, which brought about 10,000 people to the Common on Saturday to protest the War in Iraq.
There were 10 other protests on Oct. 27. Organized by United for Peace and Justice, the national protest included cities from San Francisco to Chattanooga, and demanded the immediate release of troops from duty and an end of military funding for the war.
Sophomore Laura Solow, a member of Earth Emerson who attended the rally, said she felt the protest highlighted the need to bring soldiers home. She saw people dancing, smiling, cheering and hugging strangers in the street.
"It's the most important issue of our generation," the film major said. "Emerson kids, even if they didn't actually go, couldn't ignore it when they walked outside and there was music and laughter was right in front of their school. It really puts a positive spin on it."
New England residents from all walks of life could be seen at the rally-a gaggle of the Raging Grannies, an activist group of caroling women that now has more than 60 chapters worldwide, families with small children and middle-aged couples reminiscing about Vietnam War protests heldon the Common decades ago.
Dozens of organizations sponsored the protest, headlined by anti-war activists Howard Zinn and Boston City Councilor Felix Arroyo.
Arroyo kicked off the rally by telling the crowd about his 2003 effort to have the city council petition the president to end the war.
"They [the city council] said it wasn't Boston's business. But it is our business, it's every American's business," Arroyo said, before encouraging people to start petitions and bombard the White House with e-mails demanding the end of the war.
This exhibition was only one part of the protest organized by New England United, which brought about 10,000 people to the Common on Saturday to protest the War in Iraq.
There were 10 other protests on Oct. 27. Organized by United for Peace and Justice, the national protest included cities from San Francisco to Chattanooga, and demanded the immediate release of troops from duty and an end of military funding for the war.
Sophomore Laura Solow, a member of Earth Emerson who attended the rally, said she felt the protest highlighted the need to bring soldiers home. She saw people dancing, smiling, cheering and hugging strangers in the street.
"It's the most important issue of our generation," the film major said. "Emerson kids, even if they didn't actually go, couldn't ignore it when they walked outside and there was music and laughter was right in front of their school. It really puts a positive spin on it."
New England residents from all walks of life could be seen at the rally-a gaggle of the Raging Grannies, an activist group of caroling women that now has more than 60 chapters worldwide, families with small children and middle-aged couples reminiscing about Vietnam War protests heldon the Common decades ago.
Dozens of organizations sponsored the protest, headlined by anti-war activists Howard Zinn and Boston City Councilor Felix Arroyo.
Arroyo kicked off the rally by telling the crowd about his 2003 effort to have the city council petition the president to end the war.
"They [the city council] said it wasn't Boston's business. But it is our business, it's every American's business," Arroyo said, before encouraging people to start petitions and bombard the White House with e-mails demanding the end of the war.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Autumn
posted 11/02/07 @ 12:08 PM EST
Thank you for writing about the protest, my only question is what exactly is an "army's worth"? I am in the Army (capitalized by the way) and I have never heard of that term as a quantitative figure. (Continued…)
Raoul Maoul
Bill Stewart
posted 11/16/07 @ 10:12 PM EST
Ms. Portero again correctly reads the pulse of the young people in our great nation. While an immediate withdrawl from Iraq may exacebate the current situation, there is no doubt that our rush into Iraq was a foolhardy enterprise, that's effects will be felt for generations to come. (Continued…)
Jake Duhaime
posted 12/22/07 @ 6:32 AM EST
Another left-winged article from somebody completely Anti-American. A good journalist asks questions. Like, instead of "How much do you hate President Bush so I can tie it in with my agenda ridden article? asking "Hey protester. (Continued…)
Jake Duhaime
posted 7/16/08 @ 7:43 PM EST
Again, as I replied to the comment. I never said that. Somebody is using my name against my wishes. Thanks.
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