Local demonstrators protest war in Iraq
Published Sept. 10, 2004
Wednesday, the day after the 1,000th United States soldier died in the war in Iraq, local demonstrators took to Columbia streets to protest the war.
As the death toll in Iraq increased during the month of August, Mid-Missouri Peaceworks began to think of ways to demonstrate against the war once the death toll rose to 1,000, director Mark Haim said.
"The Iraq war is extremely costly to Iraqis and Americans and any life lost in an unjustified and illegal war is one too many," Haim said. "However, 1,000 is a milestone for Americans, and while we do not want to diminish the American casualties, we also want to recognize the profound loss of life for the Iraqis , who have lost tens of thousands."
Although the group does not agree with the president's decisions in Iraq, the organization is non-partisan, Haim said. Columbia resident Lynn Shleeter, however, said she believes the group has a liberal slant and actively supports Democratic Presidential Candidate John Kerry.
"While all people have the right to protest, I wish they were not walking in front of businesses, because it startles customers," Shleeter said. "I believe they are misguided in their beliefs because Bush has really solved problems, as opposed to Kerry, who's all talk and has no ideas on how to carry out what he wants to do."
The protest took place over the course of the day with several events, Haim said. There were rush-hour demonstrations in the morning and evening, a memorial march from Speaker's Circle through downtown to Columbia Cemetery, and a vigil outside of the Columbia Military Recruiter's office . The group also passed out black arm bands in remembrance of the victims of the war.
"We also had the Bush protest and the 9/11 candlelight vigil this week so I was really impressed with the turnout and the reaction of the public," Haim said. "At one of the rush-hour protests, many people passing by were really positive and exuberant."
Graduate student Zeina Makky witnessed the memorial march and said she believes the war in Iraq should end.
"I completely support the protesters because they are exercising their right to free speech, which is an important part of being an American," Makky said.
Although Haim said he believes rebuilding Iraq can be done by the Iraqi people, he said the U.S. needs to help make financial reparations.
"We have torn their country apart with two wars, economic sanctions and frequent bombings," Haim said. "The excuse of us needing to stay in Iraq to rebuild reminds me of when people insisted we needed to stay in Vietnam. Then thousands upon thousands of American and millions of Vietnamese lost their lives."