Posted on 08/12/2006 6:04:27 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
LOS ANGELES
Several thousand protesters marched through California's two largest cities Saturday to condemn U.S. policy in the Middle East and appeal for an end to the bloodshed in Israel's war with Islamic militants in Lebanon.
"I hope that we will stop the aggression against Lebanon, the killing of innocent civilians," said Dina Tawamsy, 32, an engineer who was among over 1,000 people marching in downtown Los Angeles.
"I don't believe the kidnapping of two soldiers should lead to the destruction of the infrastructure of a whole country," she said, alluding to the fighting that began in Lebanon July 12 after Hezbollah militants kidnapped two Israeli military personnel.
Demonstrators pounded drums, chanted and waved an large Palestinian flag, held aloft by dozens of marchers. Two women, their faces covered in white theatrical paint, carried a gurney adorned with milk bottles and effigies of infant victims. Others waved signs that said, "Occupation is a crime," and "War is not the answer."
In San Francisco, as many as 2,000 people rallied. A few protesters climbed up onto bus stop shelters and waved Palestinian flags. Several hundred counter-demonstrators gathered nearby to show their support for Israel, waving American and Israeli flags.
The demonstrations were among a handful organized across the country, including near the White House, to criticize U.S. support for Israel and the violence in Lebanon.
They came a day after the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution that calls for an end to the war between Israel and Hezbollah, and authorizes 15,000 U.N. peacekeepers to help Lebanese troops take control of south Lebanon as Israel withdraws.
Michael Carr, 42, a marketing consultant from Los Angeles, said he turned out to deplore the ongoing destruction and death, not choose a side in the conflict.
"I'm protesting the killing of innocent people," Carr said.
Faulting the White House, he added: "I have a hard time with an administration that promotes a culture of life that seems limited to embryos and rich white people."
Dressed in a Muslim headscarf, Hana Sala, 16, a high school student from Irvine, was among a group of friends who said they worried about the safety of relatives in Syria. They echoed a familiar complaint by marchers that U.S. tax dollars were being used to support Israel and, in turn, its military campaigns.
"We are not supporting the U.S.," Sala said.
In FRisco there were Hezbollah flags and pictures of Nazerallah. I didn't bring a camera, but I hope that the famous zombie was there and will post photos at zombietime.com. There was lots of stuff that people from the rest of the country need to see, just to understand how "out there" it is around these parts.
Someone say zombie?
THEN GET THE FRIKKIN HELL OUT OF MY COUNTRY!
Is that you?
http://www.zombietime.com/
The Hez flag is yellow, with a black caricature of somebody holding an AK-47 aloft, clip upward, and arabic writing below it. It looks like it was crafted from within the BOWELS OF HADES.
Thanks. I didn't know that. Are they a member of the UN?
Thanks. I didn't know that. Are they a member of the UN?
what does it matter honestly? Some middle eastern guys are hot but they sure lose that when they are anti-american. Nothing is hotter than Lady Liberty with a US flag. Those anti-American terrorist females are sheeit.
The incredible stupidity of these people often leaves me awe-struck. HOW can they be so completely brain-dead? How is it possible to be so out of touch with reality? Do these people actually think that they have nothing to fear from the Islamo-nazis? All we have to do is "be sensitive"? Talk to them? Just HOW far can one get on just brain stem?
The leaders of these groups know exactly what they are doing, I fear. The rest of them operate on "feelings" and emotion for which reasoned thought is of little use. But even leaders are mistaken if they imnagine for even a moment that they can keep THIS dog on a leash...
Our side always has hotter women than the terrorist sympathizers.
'citizenship entrance exam'
My sentiments exactly! Anyone who cannot pledge loyalty to America should be denied citizenship and receive no government benefits. Further, use of "hypenated" nationality should end. A citizen of America is an AMERICAN !
Another good reason why Muslims should be deported.
We really need Cossacks in the American law-enforcement establishment - complete with lances, horses, whips and sabers.
A society which permits the avowed enemies of that society to demonstrate in its own streets is a society on the brink of collapse. This is carrying Free Speech to an absurd level.
'"Occupation is a crime," the crowd chanted..'
It's hard to argue this point. The occupation of Lebanon by Syria for a long time HAS been a crime!
As long as we're on a Calif rant, check out this photo from 3 days ago from the SF Chronicle --these are troops guarding SFO from the threat of terrorism, in the wake of the UK/NYC airliner bomb scare the other day.
See their rifles?
They have NO MAGAZINES --no bullets.
The guys couldn't have shot them even if they'd have needed to.
"A child of the Lebanese community in Romania, face painted with Lebanon's flag.."
Honest citizens of many civilized countries would have to ponder whether this constitutes child abuse.
Nice pic.Target rich environment/sarcasm intended.
Mr. Mojo had it right in post 14.
From the World Almanac, 2003:
LA 3,819,951
SD 1,266,753
San Jose 898,3439
SF 751,682
Long Beach 475,460
Fresno 451,455
Sacramento 445,335
Oakland 398,844
Sacramento is the capital, yet 7th in population.
Protesters condemn U.S.-Israeli policies in LA, San Francisco
WHAT! The US & Israel have invaded LA & San Francisco?
About time is all I can say.
In San Francisco, as many as 2,000 people rallied. A few protesters climbed up onto bus stop shelters and waved Palestinian flags.
Really futile and stupid gesture alert
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