Coast to coast, people were in the streets (even Hawaii)
Video with clips from around the country
Providence, Rhode Island
ProJo video – “About 100 Rhode Islanders gathered at Kennedy Plaza in Providence to express their outrage over President Obama’s decision to commit 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. Many were from the Rhode Island Mobilization to End Wars and Occupations. Others were there simply as ordinary citizens belonging to no organization, wanting their voices to be heard.” Providence Journal video by Connie Grosch
10 News video
More from San Francisco
Media coverage
Honolulu, HI
More than 40 people responded to the Call put out by World Can’t Wait-Hawai`i to protest at the Federal Building in Honolulu. Some came with their own signs. Some picked up the bright orange signs brought by World Can’t Wait. “Stop the War in Afghanistan,” “Stop the Bombing of Pakistan,” “Stop Thinking Like an American and Start Thinking About Humanity,” “No Wars for Empire” and more. Some hastily scrawled their personal messages on cardboard.
The 8-lane avenue in front of Federal Building was jam-packed with commuters. Many honked, waved, or gave us a shaka. A car-load of GI’s saw us, began yelling their support, and then pulled up alongside the protesters to give an enthusiastic “thank you” – and they were just one carload among many GI’s who waved or shouted their support.
Those who came to protest were, in the main, veterans of the movement and the sense of outrage over the escalation of the war in Afghanistan was everywhere. Many had been active in the struggle to elect Obama and talked about their profound disappointment. More than one talked about how Obama’s escalation of the war should prove to people that “it’s the system, and not a person” that’s the problem. Many said they still felt Obama was “a good man” or “wanted to end the war” but was forced by others to send more people in. Even more sent e-mails saying they couldn’t get off work or classes, but were there “in spirit”. A few suggested other actions and another said she would be standing at an intersection in her neighborhood with a sign.
Some who came to the protest said they had forwarded the Call to the protest to others they felt would be interested only to receive responses reproaching them for protesting “the Good War”. World Can’t Wait-Hawai`i received a few similar e-mails – some thoughtful and filled with anguish over how the U.S. should be there “to help the Afghan people.” Others angry and asking to be removed from the e-list. Some people at the protest had been on the streets to speak out against the wars in Vietnam, Central America and in Iraq, and questioned how ANYONE could support yet another war for empire under the guise of “saving people”.
For people who came to the protest, this was a time to share experiences and make their voices heard. There was a lot of discussion about Obama’s speech – and why it should be a wake-up call for anyone who wants a better world. Some were surprised that more people hadn’t come; others were pleased there were so many. Everyone could see that there was tremendous support for our action from those passing by and questioned how they could be mobilized into a broader movement of resistance against unjust and immoral war.
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