New Bedford Area Residents Rally Against War
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 – On a swath of grass just east of the Washington Monument, hundreds of small wooden crosses were laid out in careful rows. Many of the white markers, representing the United States military men and women who have died since the beginning of the conflict in Iraq, were adorned with flowers or miniature American flags.
Dave Dionne surveyed the scene and asked, “Why isn’t the whole country enraged by this?”
Dionne, a Westport selectman, was one of several area residents who joined the thousands of demonstrators that packed into the area behind the White House on Saturday to protest America’s continuing involvement in Iraq.
Organized by antiwar coalitions ANSWER and United for Peace and Justice, Saturday’s demonstration was expected to attract more than 100,000 protesters. Similar events also were planned across the globe in such cities as Los Angeles, London, Paris and Seattle.
The event included an all-day festival, a rally in the late morning, and an afternoon march that wound past the White House. White tents dotted the crowd, offering stickers, t-shirts, and anti-war pamphlets. Participants of every age, race, and religion carried colorful signs encouraging “Global Justice, Not War” and declaring that “Peace is Patriotic.”
“I think that we represent millions of people world-wide,” said Elizabeth Bennett of Fairhaven. “There’s always an effect when people stand up for what’s right and just and loving.” Bennett was joined at the event by her parents Jean and Arthur Bennett of New Bedford.
Most of the New Bedford area demonstrators left Massachusetts on Friday and traveled to the capital overnight on buses arranged by protest organizers, arriving at 8 in the morning. The buses were scheduled to leave Saturday for an all-night ride home.
“It’s a long day but it’s worth it to be with people who are united in the same cause,” said Amy Schusser, a New Bedford resident.
Dionne however, left New England more than a week ago, riding his bike more than 550 miles from Kingston, Rhode Island, staying in hotels and campgrounds as he proceeded.
“I wanted to make a statement about how we can do things without fossil fuels,” explained Dionne. “Bush is like the corrupt father in a dysfunctional family-he promotes the denial of our oil addiction.”
The local protesters were united in passionate opposition not just to the war, but also to the president himself. Jean Bennett carried a bright yellow sign urging his impeachment.
“Bush is the worst president we have ever had and the most dangerous man in the world,” Ann Sheehan of Dartmouth said.
Despite their anger, the New Bedford contingent was optimistic about their chances of effecting change.
“We really believe that if enough people feel [that the war is wrong], then something will have to change,” said Arthur Bennett.
All of the area participants seemed to advocate an immediate withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.
“I think it’s important to be here because I think its time we end this war now-not two years from now, not 15 months from now-but now,” said Richard Drolet, another New Bedford resident.
An opposition rally for war supporters also was planned for this weekend in Washington. Dionne, however, does not feel that opposing the war is the same as being against the soldiers who are fighting it.
“Many people in this crowd have family members in the armed services,” Dionne said. “They truly understand what it means to support the troops.”
Indeed, shortly before noon, Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq and who many credit with reinvigorating antiwar sentiment in the country, took to the stage in the middle of the crowd and led the protesters in chanting “Not one more.”
Jean Bennett pointed towards the air where the refrain echoed over the amassed demonstrators, and said, ” That’s why I came.”
