Most Popular Choices
Share on Facebook 19 Printer Friendly Page More Sharing
OpEdNews Op Eds    H3'ed 10/5/09

UPDATE: 82 Arrested Outside White House, Hundreds Show Up to Protest War in Afghanistan

By       (Page 3 of 4 pages) Become a premium member to see this article and all articles as one long page.   No comments
Follow Me on Twitter     Message Kevin Gosztola
Become a Fan
  (62 fans)
Hundreds of people gathered this morning in McPherson Square for song, poetry and rousing speeches to kick off a day of action. Led by the "Mourn the dead, heal the wounded, end the wars" banner, those gathered then marched to the White House in a solemn procession, carrying large photographs of war victims, signs and banners.

Some people, protesting the continued operation of the prison at Gitmo, "chained themselves to the fence." The release says:

All those who remained on the White House sidewalk were eventually arrested. In total, 82 people were taken into police custody as the readings of the names of the dead--a tragic litany of war--continued.
This was all a part of a protest primarily organized by the National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance (NCNR). The following groups supported organization and showed up to protest at the White House at 10 am this morning: Atlantic Life Community, Witness Against Torture, Veterans for Peace, World Can't Wait, Activist Response Team, Peace Action, Code Pink, the War Resisters' League, Voters for Peace, The Washington Peace Center, and the Student Peace Action Network.

It's important to note that all present were asked by NCNR to follow the Nonviolence Guidelines listed on NCNR's website.

Furthermore, TPM reports on a question Press Secretary Robert Gibbs answered from the press:

During his press briefing today, Press Secretary Robert Gates fielded a question about a "disruptive" protest outside the White House that caused people going to the Situation Room to walk around much of the White House in order to get inside.

"Until you said it, I was previously unaware," Gibbs said, adding that such protests are "a hallmark of our country."
I'm not entirely sure what Gibbs means but it looks like it's a shot directed at the anti-war movement who organize protests that few people in America rarely know have taken place.

Mr. Gibbs isn't thinking about how these protests are not "fake grassroots" campaigns organized by FreedomWorks. He isn't thinking about how the corporate media chooses to not cover these protests as news. And, he is also not thinking about how people who are for peace are regularly disdained and shut out of the democratic process.

Obama meets with his "war council." He meets with generals who will decide the future of the Afghanistan War. He does not meet with a "peace council."

Obama's generals will always tell him ways victory can be achieved because it's their job to wage war and if they do not do it, they might consider themselves to be a failure.

Unfortunately, the politicians in this country cater to the recommendations of the military on a regular basis forgetting that they are to control whether we wage war or not.

Unfortunately, too many Americans are comfortable letting the military relay reports from the battlefield. They are comfortable with hearing these reports and trusting that generals will eventually find a way to solving the problems faced in war.

But, as with most wars (and especially with today's wars), there is no military solution. There will be no military solution. And, I promise you that one year or two from now if this continues we will still be telling Obama that there is no military solution.

Why? Because there is no military solution.



So, go on Mr. Gibbs. Pretend you hadn't heard about a protest. It's not believable at all but say what you have to say to keep Americans in the dark.

A small amount of America understands that when you make "jokes" like this you are showing insensitivity toward humanity. A small group know you are cheerleading a war that will continue to kill innocent civilians.

The patience of America wears thin.

Next Page  1  |  2  |  3  |  4

(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).

Rate It | View Ratings

Kevin Gosztola Social Media Pages: Facebook page url on login Profile not filled in       Twitter page url on login Profile not filled in       Linkedin page url on login Profile not filled in       Instagram page url on login Profile not filled in

Kevin Gosztola is managing editor of Shadowproof Press. He also produces and co-hosts the weekly podcast, "Unauthorized Disclosure." He was an editor for OpEdNews.com
Go To Commenting
The views expressed herein are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of this website or its editors.
Follow Me on Twitter     Writers Guidelines

 
Contact AuthorContact Author Contact EditorContact Editor Author PageView Authors' Articles
Support OpEdNews

OpEdNews depends upon can't survive without your help.

If you value this article and the work of OpEdNews, please either Donate or Purchase a premium membership.

STAY IN THE KNOW
If you've enjoyed this, sign up for our daily or weekly newsletter to get lots of great progressive content.
Daily Weekly     OpEd News Newsletter
Name
Email
   (Opens new browser window)
 

Most Popular Articles by this Author:     (View All Most Popular Articles by this Author)

We Do Not Consent to Warrantless "Porno-Scanning" in Airports

How Private Prison Corporations Hope Arizona's SB1070 Will Lead to Internment Camps for Illegals

Do They Put Lipstick on Pigs at the Funny Farm?

Why the Battle Against TSA Groping and Body Scanners is Justified

Give Obama a Chance to Do What?

To View Comments or Join the Conversation:

Tell A Friend