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Warning: fopen(/home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/cache/lastclean.txt) [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 41 Warning: fwrite(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 42 Warning: fclose(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 43 Warning: fopen(/home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/cache/09efaa7693b58c90082aa2b58ec4a719) [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 128 Warning: fwrite(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 129 Warning: fclose(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 130 Antiwar protesters want troops' return By Jeff Burlew DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER Tallahassee peace activists gathered Saturday for their first antiwar protest since the fall of Baghdad more than a week ago. There were fewer protesters at Bloxham Park than in the weeks preceding the war in Iraq. But those who participated said they still felt a need to speak out for peace and a quick return home of U.S. forces. Bryan Kerwin came to the protest wearing Middle Eastern garb, a long black chain around his neck and bloody makeup on his face and hands. Kerwin said war has not ended in Afghanistan, and he predicted it will never end in Iraq. "We're bringing more suffering to the Iraqis in the name of alleviating suffering, when in truth it's imperialist aggression for control of the Middle East and its resources," said Kerwin, who is retired. "And time will tell the tale." The rally was sponsored by the Tallahassee Network for Justice and Peace, Veterans for Peace, Pax Christi, the Tallahassee Green Party, the National Organization for Women and Students United for Peace. Fred Deaton, a member of Veterans for Peace, also came to the protest to publicly criticize President Bush and the war in Iraq, which he described as unjust and illegal under international law. He said not enough criticism of the war has appeared in corporate newspapers and television news broadcasts. "This message is very straightforward," said Deaton, a Vietnam veteran. "Stop the killing." Members of the student organization, which formed at FSU on the eve of the war, said they wanted to redirect their efforts closer to home. Alex Joyce, a founding member of the group, helped collect money for the Tallahassee Coalition for the Homeless, Emergency Care Help Organization and the Refuge House. "We're trying to shift the focus from bombing other countries to much-needed social services here at home," said Joyce, a political science senior at FSU. Trang Do, a fine art major at Florida State University, said she came to the event to encourage community involvement whether there is peace or war. "Peace is something we should always push for," said Do, a member of Students United for Peace. "Maybe this idea will be here permanently even after the war is over." | Warning: fopen(/home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/cache/lastclean.txt) [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 41 Warning: fwrite(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 42 Warning: fclose(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 43 Warning: fopen(/home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/cache/695cefc98a658ee5ca5bc16ffb7337bd) [function.fopen]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 128 Warning: fwrite(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 129 Warning: fclose(): supplied argument is not a valid stream resource in /home/motolagg/public_html/tallahasseegreenparty.org/exchange/ex_func.php on line 130 |