War protests proliferate across the globe

INDIANAPOLIS -- Across Indiana, the United States and the globe, protestors marched against war in Iraq Saturday.\nAround 100,000 turned out in Washington, D.C. Tens of thousands filled streets in San Fransisco and cities in Europe while smaller rallies were held across nation. \nIn Indianapolis, a diverse crowd of about 200 -- including students from IU, Purdue University and Butler University, Vietnam combat veterans, representatives of central Indiana's Muslim community and other concerned citizens -- gathered downtown at Monument Circle to make it known that support for war against Iraq is not universal. The Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center organized the rally.\nSpeakers and interviewees offered a wide variety of reasons for opposing war. Some said they were concerned with the inevitable deaths during an invasion of Iraqi civilians and American solidiers. Other questioned what an attack would mean for the standing of the United States in the Middle East, citing the Israel/Palestine conflict and the potential for creating more anger with U.S. foreign policy.\nNearly everyone condemned a unilateral approach to war.\n"I am an instructor of U.S. history, so I have somewhat of a long view," said Bloomington resident Jack King. "Unilateral action in the Middle East represents a radical departure for us."\nPresident Bush was roundly criticized at the rally as were other politicians who recently signed the resolution giving Bush the authority to wage war against Iraq.\n"There's innocent people in Iraq that didn't do anything," said Keyia Brazelton, who lives in Indianapolis. "President Bush is not speaking on our behalf."\nJohn Farah, president of the Indiana chapter of Veterans for Peace, an anti-war group, said he was young and naive when he volunteered for Vietnam in 1962. Though he was not sent to Vietnam, Farah eventually served in Germany. \nHe said that his group has seen a surge in membership since the Bush Administration initiated discussion about a war against Iraq.\n"This is not a moral war. As a veteran, you saw the things that happened, and war is not a beautiful thing," Farah said. "Is cheap energy worth war?"\nSaad Omar, a high school student from Indianapolis, spoke at the rally on behalf of the Muslim Youth of Indianapolis, a local community service organization. \n"I see Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus and other religions represented here today," Omar said. "This is not about one religion or race. The greatest act of patriotism is standing up and saying 'No America, you are wrong.'"\nDuring his speech, Omar also read parts of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, changing some of the locations in King's speech to sites in the Middle East. He said while there was consensus against a new war in his group, it did not mean they supported Saddam Hussein's regime, a sentiment echoed by every speaker.\nMost of those in attendance said that weapons inspection should start again.\nFormer congressman Andy Jacobs, a veteran from the Korean War, said he had been at war related events at Memorial Circle in Indianapolis before.\n"When I was 18 I marched to the train station from here to go to Korea. Years later, I was addressing teenage marines about to go to Vietnam," Jacobs said. "It broke my heart because they didn't know where they were going."\nJacobs criticized the process by which the United States goes to war, emphasizing in the Constitution that only Congress has the power to declare war.\n"They've argued that since the president is the commander in chief, that allows it," Jacobs said. "But who has attacked us lately?"\nMost in attendance said they were pleased with the rally and took heart when passing cars and trucks honked and waved.\n"Even in the heart of middle America, there is resistance to this unilateral war," one protestor said.