Activists protest Iraq 'surge'

Jan 12, 2007

By Alan J. Keays Herald Staff

A day after President Bush announced to the nation plans to increase U.S. troops in Iraq, about 100 protesters took to Main Street Park in Rutland to voice their opposition.

"This is part of a national campaign in response to the president's speech last night. These demonstrations are being held all over the country," Carol Tashie of Central Vermont Peace and Justice said Thursday evening, standing alongside the other protesters on the edge of the park at the intersection of Route 7 and West Street.

"What we say is, bring the troops home and support the United Nations to be able to provide peaceful support to the people of Iraq," said Tashie, an organizer of the Rutland demonstration. "We say, our troops need to come home. Our commitment needs to be toward peaceful reconstruction."

In Vermont, similar protests were planned Thursday evening in other communities, including Burlington, Brattleboro and Montpelier, Tashie said.

In his prime-time television address Wednesday night, Bush said in addition to increasing the number of U.S. troops in Iraq by 21,500 to help reduce violent uprisings, the plan calls for Iraq to have up to 12,000 more troops to help provide security to neighborhoods in Baghdad.

Protesters gathered Thursday evening in Main Street Park in Rutland not only opposed the president's proposal, but they also called for an end to the war in Iraq.

Many protesters on the chilly evening bundled up in jackets, hats and gloves. They held signs reading, "Don't Feed the War Machine," "No Means No, No More Troops, No War," and "Out of Iraq Now."

Demonstrators hailed from across the Rutland region and ranged in age from 8 to older than 80.

David Wright, 62, of Middletown Springs, brought his nearly 2-year-old golden retriever, Avery, to the demonstration.

"He's sternly against troop escalation," Wright said of his dog.

Mekades Ferguson, 15, of Florence, stood on the sidewalk facing West Street holding a sign reading, "Stop the Slaughter."

"All the killing that is going on, all the lives that are being lost, it's just not right," she said.

Several activists held signs emblazoned with the single word, "No," in response to Bush's call for more troops in Iraq.

Cathy Thomas, 58, of Mount Tabor, had a sign that delivered that message in many different languages. It had the Icelandic version, "Nei," the Hungarian word "Nem," and in Dutch, "Nee."

"Maybe if you say it in a lot of different languages, they'll get the message," Thomas said.

Contact Alan J. Keays at alan.keays@rutlandherald.com.