Thousands flood Wilshire in protest

As statements made by national leaders resonate with the drums
of war, demonstrators massed at the Federal Building in Westwood
and the U.S. Army Reserve Center in West Los Angeles Sunday
afternoon, protesting a possible U.S. war against Iraq, in one of
several peace rallies held across the country.

Marchers shut down Wilshire Boulevard from the Federal Building
to the U.S. Army Reserve center at Wilshire and Federal Avenue.
They waved flags, carried banners, and chanted slogans. One child
carried a sign reading “I don’t want to die for
oil.”

Three thousand people attended the rally, according to the Los
Angeles Police Department. Hundreds more honked and flashed peace
signs as they drove by.

Over the weekend, President Bush reiterated his case, announcing
in his Saturday radio address that “˜”˜delay, indecision
and inaction … could lead to massive and sudden
horror” for the United States.

The Bush administration contends that a preventive strike
against Iraq is necessary if Saddam Hussein refuses to allow
unrestricted access to weapons inspectors and submit to total
disarmament of any weapons of mass destruction in the Iraqi
arsenal.

Sunday’s protest was one of dozens of anti-war rallies
across the country organized by the Not in Our Name Project, a
grassroots group opposing a range of Bush administration
actions.

Oct. 6 marked the one-year anniversary of the start of bombing
in Afghanistan.

Rallies were also held in New York City, Chicago, Seattle and
San Francisco, among other cities. Many at the rally were members
of activist groups, both on- and off-campus, though several others
described themselves as ordinary people opposed to war.

“I can’t be silenced,” said Janice Tummler,
56, of Fontana, who carried a sign describing herself as a teacher
opposed to war with Iraq.

No arrests were made and the rally was described as peaceful by
several officers on duty.

Though the crowd was generally calm, some at the event were more
charged than others. Chino Martinez, an 18-year-old Los Angeles
resident and student at Santa Monica College, set an American flag
on fire to the cheers of onlookers.

The day’s activities interspersed speakers, including
Vietnam War veteran and anti-war activist Ron Kovic, whose life
story was the subject of the Oliver Stone film “Born on the
Fourth of July,” with spoken word performances and music. One
of the bands, “Spiritual Food,” mixed African drum
beats with anti-establishment, pacifist lyrics.

Speakers denounced the administration as aggressive abroad and
repressive at home.

“The true purveyor of terror (is) the government in
Washington D.C.,” Kovic said.

Before his address, he described the rally as the
“greatest class on democracy you can take.”

As the rally proceeded along Wilshire Boulevard, motorists got
out of their cars and watched as they waited for the marchers to
pass.

“Bush is not doing it, (terrorists) started this
war,” said Linda Riley, 54, of Los Angeles.

If other countries are willing to kill Americans, people
shouldn’t protest against war, she said.

After returning to the Federal Building, participants listened
to more speakers, grooved to rock music, and recited a
“Pledge of Resistance.”

“We believe that as people living in the United States, it
is our responsibility to resist the injustices done by our
government in our names,” said thousands.

Many UCLA students at the protest said the campus needs to take
a stronger stand on Bush’s military policies.

“I think as a campus community, we’ve been quiet for
too long,” said Elizabeth Delgado, chair of UCLA MEChA, and
member of the Peace and Justice Coalition, an anti-war student
group.

Many speakers, protesters and students said any war with Iraq is
financially motivated.

Undergraduate Students Association Council External Vice
President Chris Neal, who attended the rally with other members of
USAC, said he is completely against the war.

“They’re not after Saddam, they’re going after
the Iraqi people,” he said.

Congressional leaders said Sunday that a resolution authorizing
war against Iraq ““ expected to pass with little dissent
““ will strengthen the U.S. hand at the United Nations and
increase pressure on Saddam Hussein to disarm.

Bush will speak today from Cincinnati about his push to topple
the Iraqi dictator.

With reports from Derek Lazzaro, Robert Salonga, Jonathan Young,
Daily Bruin Senior Staff, and The Associated Press