WASHINGTON, Jan. 27, 2007
Protesters Feel "Obligation" To Stop War
Celebrities, Lawmakers, Military Families Demand Troop Withdrawal
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Play CBS Video Video Senate Mulls Iraq Resolutions This week the Senate will have their say on the President's new plan for Iraq. Lawmakers will say yes or no to a series of resolutions supporting or opposing the plan. Joie Chen reports.
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Video Anti-War Protests In D.C. Even though this wasn't the biggest anti-war protest in Washington D.C., organizers say it made a significant attempt to change direction in the debate over the war. Joie Chen reports.
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Video Anti-War Rally In Washington A big anti-war rally is planned in Washington D.C. Rally organizers expect tens of thousands of protestors, including active-duty military personnel to participate. Joie Chen reports.
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Louise Orzechowski, left, and Linda Frank, both of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, prepare to board a bus Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007, in Lancaster, Pa., to travel to Washington for the rally against the Iraq war. (AP)
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University of Wisconsin students and others board buses Friday, Jan. 26, 2007, in Madison, Wis., to travel to Washington for Saturday's rally against the Iraq war (AP Photo/The Capital Times)
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Members of the group U.S. Citizens for Peace and Justice, comprised of Americans living in Italy, joined in today's protest by holding banners in front of the U.S. Embassy in Rome, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007. The number on the banner at right refers to the Iraqis who reportedly died since the U.S. invasion of Iraq. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
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Protesters listen to opening statements from the United for Peace and Justice protest organizers at an anti-war rally and march on the National Mall January 27, 2007 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
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Protesters gather on the lower steps of the Capitol during an anti-war rally January 27, 2006 in Washington. (Getty Images)
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Who's Who Congress Reacts To Plan Reaction to President Bush's new Iraq stategy, which includes an increase in troops.
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Interactive New Plan For Iraq Key elements of the plan, excerpts from the president's speech, reaction and more.
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In The Spotlight Bush's New Iraq Strategy A glimpse at some of the key elements in President Bush's new plan for Iraq.
Celebrities, a half-dozen lawmakers and protesters from distant states rallied in the capital under a sunny sky, seizing an opportunity to press their cause with a Congress restive on the war and a country that has turned against the conflict.
Marching with them was Jane Fonda, in what she said was her first anti-war demonstration in 34 years.
"Silence is no longer an option," Fonda said to cheers from the stage on the National Mall. The actress once derided as "Hanoi Jane" by conservatives for her stance on Vietnam said she had held back from activism so as not to be a distraction for the Iraq anti-war movement, but needed to speak out now.
But for all the tie-dye and familiar chants, the anti-war movement has moved on — and changed direction, reports CBS News correspondent Joie Chen.
Today's protest didn't go near the White House. Instead, tens of thousands walked Constitution Avenue to the Capitol, bearing a message for the new, democratically controlled, Congress.
“I think the Democrats are well aware that a lot of Democrats were elected this year over Republicans because of this issue,” said protester Connie Gordon.
The rally on the Mall unfolded peacefully, although about 300 protesters tried to rush the Capitol, running up the grassy lawn to the front of the building. Police on motorcycles tried to stop them, scuffling with some and barricading entrances.
Protesters chanted "Our Congress" as their numbers grew and police faced off against them. Demonstrators later joined the masses marching from the Mall, halfway around Capitol Hill and back.
United for Peace and Justice, a coalition group sponsoring the protest, had hoped 100,000 would come. Police, who no longer give official estimates, said privately the crowd was smaller than that.
At the rally, 12-year-old Moriah Arnold stood on her toes to reach the microphone and tell the crowd: "Now we know our leaders either lied to us or hid the truth. Because of our actions, the rest of the world sees us as a bully and a liar."
The sixth-grader from Harvard, Mass., organized a petition drive at her school against the war that has killed more than 3,000 U.S. service-members.
More Hollywood celebrities showed up at the demonstration than buttoned-down Washington typically sees in a month.
Actor Sean Penn said lawmakers will pay a price in the 2008 elections if they do not take firmer action than to pass a nonbinding resolution against the war, the course Congress is now taking.
"If they don't stand up and make a resolution as binding as the death toll, we're not going to be behind those politicians," he said. Actors Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins also spoke.
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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- if Bush would secure the U.S. border i would be more inclined to believe he is trying to protect this country. instead he sends 18 year old boys into a meat grinder and tells them don't shoot till your shot at. or if the first shot misses you, promtly retreve a regulation manual from your dead buddy's uniform just to make sure. if a mistake is made promtly fess up. that way you will do less time in Guantanimo. you can greet your enemy as he is being released.
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- thgdriver:
You show such total ingnorance. The protest was on a Saturday. Why is it that you morons think that those citizens who care enough about their country to travel to DC on a Saturday are unemployed??
I'm not unemployed, neither are my friends who also made the trip. There were many families with kids, students, older citizens and many were employed people with real jobs (as this is such a concern to you!)
Really, such garbage spews from the mouths of those still trying to hang on to the dream that Bush actually cares about them. - Reply to this comment
- Well I would venture to say that anyone there is making enough money to be able to get there. I would venture to say that most are middle class, not unemployed.
Of course the reich wing believes people should be convicted guilty by free association. - Reply to this comment
- Protesters Feel "Obligation" To Stop War.
That's good.
Looking at some, I wish they had the obligation to get a job.
Yeh, I know I should not judge by book cover. - Reply to this comment
- The protest brings back some old thoughts of my own.
Strange how two people that came out against the war in Vietnam are perceived so differently by myself.
Walter Cronkite was for the USA to negotiate and get out of Vietnam.
I have always had, and still do have, the utmost respect for him.
On the other hand, Jane Fonda felt the same way, I personally never liked her methods, and to this day, I can't stand that bitc#. - Reply to this comment
- When did freedom of speech become a "right of OTHERS"
Posted by jabberwock11 at 12:06 PM : Jan 28, 2007
You really should pay attention when you read. The jist of the comment is "OTHERS HAVE FOUGHT AND DIED TO PROVIDE THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH THESE ID-10-T'S USE FOR THEIR MISGUIDED PROTESTS". Yet, they don't support the troops or the right of any other American Citizen to use these same rights. - Reply to this comment
- revlin1:
With all due respect, this is a comment section provided for just such comments. We are not forced to post nor read comments. - Reply to this comment
- I am sick and tired of being sick and tired of turning on the news and watching people/persons who debate Iraq, while I have a husband and a son working 12 hour days, 7 days a week (or more) in Baghdad, just doing what they gotta do, not complaining mind you, because they know it's the right thing to do, and yet my mind and senses have to be assaulted in my own country by these people/persons who think they know "what it's like over there" and I am convinced they haven't got a clue, for sure, they haven't got a clue"...LJJ
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- Marching with them was Jane Fonda, in what she said was her first anti-war demonstration in 34 years.
She's like *** roaches, if you don't keep spraying, they keep coming back.
At the rally, "12-year-old" Moriah Arnold stood on her toes to reach the microphone.
Hummmmmm, being led by a 12 year old and Jane Fonda, seems like I saw this old movie. - Reply to this comment
- "Searingtruth,
I couldn't agree with the sentiment of your statement more. I believe without debate based on reasoned and rational thought, the human race is doomed. Those who cannot help but express their views out of emotion instead of thought only serve to derail the value of debate."
fleshmonger6
Indeed fellow citizen.
ST
"Simple answers do not exist in a world of great complexity. We must sacrifice our instinctive desire for the quick and easy to instead embrace the enduring and efficacious, or we, as a species, will not survive."
SearingTruth
"How very human we are. How very much we share. How indispensable that our common and desperate humanity, so artfully hidden, at last be revealed. Lest, at last, all should perish."
SearingTruth
A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com - Reply to this comment
- Searingtruth,
I couldn't agree with the sentiment of your statement more. I believe without debate based on reasoned and rational thought, the human race is doomed. Those who cannot help but express their views out of emotion instead of thought only serve to derail the value of debate. - Reply to this comment
- "The Senator from Wisconsin cannot frighten me by exclaiming, 'My country, right or wrong.' In one sense I say so too. My country; and my country is the great American Republic. My country, right or wrong; if right, to be kept right; and if wrong, to be set right."
Senator Carl Schurz, remarks in the Senate, February 29, 1872. The applause in the gallery was deafening.
"Any who act as if freedom's defenses are to be found in suppression and suspicion and fear confess a doctrine that is alien to America."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com - Reply to this comment
- if you want fun, go to a playground. You'll probably fit right in...
Posted by fleshmonger6 at 01:11 PM : Jan 28, 2007
Somebody jerk your chain, fishmonger? - Reply to this comment
- if you want fun, go to a playground. You'll probably fit right in...
- Reply to this comment
- Liberals will most definitely fight for their country when it is actually under threat! Conservatives do not own the flag and are not any more American than the rest of us - period.
- Reply to this comment
- "to those who would repeat the same post and thereby ruin any opportunity for those who come here to learn about and engage in real discourse, you prove to anyone with a mind just what kind of intellect you really are...."
fleshmonger6
Indeed. I actually like One_American and others on this forum with opposing views, and enjoy debating them. It is unfortunate that One_American has chosen this route. He is in danger of being banned from this forum.
ST
"Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party generally.... A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume."
George Washington, Farewell Address, September 19, 1796
A Future of the Brave - www.searingtruth.com - Reply to this comment
- Those who intentionally re-post the exact same words/comments back-to-back are like spoiled, screaming brats.
Character will out.
Posted by jn122736 at 01:08 PM : Jan 28, 2007
Sorry, I was just having fun with the ***!:-( - Reply to this comment
- Those who intentionally re-post the exact same words/comments back-to-back are like spoiled, screaming brats.
Character will out. - Reply to this comment
Liberals only want to oppose.
You are living proof of that.
Posted by One_American at
OPPOSE FASCISM? HELL YES!!!
OPPOSE TOTALITARIANISM? HELL YES!!!
OPPOSE A LYING PRESIDENT'S PERSONAL AJENDA? HELL YES!!!
OPPOSE PEOPLE WHO THINK LIKE YOU? HELLLL YESSS!!!!- Reply to this comment
- to those who would repeat the same post and thereby ruin any opportunity for those who come here to learn about and engage in real discourse, you prove to anyone with a mind just what kind of intellect you really are....
- Reply to this comment
