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Micro Protest in SF on Iraq Anniversary
One year after waves of protesters flooded downtown San Francisco in response to the beginning of the war, a smaller group of no-less dedicated activists returned to the cityâs streets this morning to demonstrate against the U.S. presence in Iraq. "Today is the beginning of a new campaign to call out empire when we see it," cried Carwill James, an activist working with Direct Action to Stop the War, as the crowd gathered at 7 a.m. in Justin Herman Plaza. Organizers have said this is the first of a series of protests planned for the coming year. After a moment of silence, hundreds of protesters marched down Market and Mission streets, accompanied by police determined to keep a tight lid on the day and the drum-heavy "Infernal Noise Brigade." But while the protests of March 20, 2003, drew thousands and led to nearly 400 arrests before noon, police estimated this morningâs crowd at no more than 400 in all and made just 12 arrests. (A total wash!) The crowd was a microcosm of last yearâs event, complete with hard-core "black bloc" demonstrators alongside less grim "green bloc" environmental protesters and "pink bloc" demonstrators in tutus. (Separated by color? Where have I heard of that?) "We are disgusted with the way things are going and whatâs being sacrificed that doesnât need to be and the propaganda campaign to push this war on the American people," said Brianna Sheets, 20, a student at Chapman University in Orange County and a member of the tutu-clad pink bloc. Michael Kozart, a psychiatrist from San Francisco General Hospital, took the day off work and wore his white physicianâs coat to the protest. "I work in San Francisco in public health and I can see the ravages in our beleaguered system from resources being channeled into the war," he said. "The amount being spent every day on the war could alleviate problems here." (Yes he IS the shrink and not a patient!) The marchers massed outside the Beale Street headquarters of Bechtel Corp., a key target for its work in Iraq, which protesters have said amounts to war profiteering. Lines of protesters linked arms, some of them using plastic tubes to make the link, and tried to block the companyâs entrances. (What no goon squads to pound them. So disappointing.) "Iâm here today because I am troubled that the United States is spending $80 billion to occupy a country that should be sovereign," said Sunaina Maira, âa professor of Asian American Studies at UC Davis who joined a group linking arms before the building. "We should be spending money for social services here." (Note to college students: Few people (very few) make $$$ majoring in Asian, Black, Women, Hispanic studies. Takes some real courses.) Marshall defended the companyâs role in Iraq. "Education, along with health, power, clean water and transportation -- those are the priorities weâre working on in Iraq right now,ââ he said. "Most of the demonstrators, if they actually took the time to learn the facts, would applaud that kind of work,ââ he said. (What would they do with facts?) A man in front of the Pacific Gas and Electric Co. building spent some time shouting "Support the war, not the protesters," and then wandered away. Another protester read names of people killed in Iraq. (Ying and Yang) Protesters complained that the police presence was too heavy, but police made no apologies as they promised to keep traffic moving on Mission and Market. (boo hoo) "Theyâre not going to have that intersection," Capt. Tim Hettrich said. "They can protest, weâre giving them an area to protest. Weâre guaranteeing their First Amendment rights." Less than 400 idiots protested today? I would think that there would be at least ten times that number of disgruntled unemployed! Maybe the economy isnât as bad as we thought. I think the SFPD should charge this whacko groups for protecting them. Send a bill to each of these Looney left organizations and if they donât pay arrest them. The there are pictures of the loons on the website, usual suspects. Posted by: Cyber Sarge (VRWC CA Chapter) 2004-03-19 |
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