Activists encircle Market House
- More than 100 people were there to support American troops, waving flags, holding signs and urging motorists to honk to show their support. Most drivers obliged.
"The majority has finally gotten vocal," said Sonja Rothstein of Fayetteville.
About 20 people were at the Market House to protest the war. They held signs and yelled "power to the people" at passing cars.
What this story doesn't really make clear is that the antiwar protesters were part of a weekly peace vigil of about 20-30 people who set up a relatively quiet regular group at the Market House. Last Wednesday, they were invaded by a confrontational group comprised largely of "Patriots" and bikers, their presence inspired by local talk radio.
Typical of the sentiments:
- Rothstein and others on the troop-supporting side said that those protesting the war are a vocal minority that only seems like a majority because of constant media coverage. Mikele Haywood of Fayetteville said it is impossible to support the troops but not the war.
"It's all the same thing," she said. "The troops are over there watching us, and it's very disturbing for them to see any type of protest."
Haywood said protesting now that the war has started is akin to aiding the enemy, Saddam Hussein.
Chuck Fager of the Quaker House, who brought this to my attention, reports that the peace group is not going to be run off. He says police managed to keep things peaceful this time, but one has to wonder how long this can be sustained.
No comments:
Post a Comment