Posted on 01/31/2009 8:37:14 PM PST by buccaneer81
Determined few keep demonstrating for peace Saturday, January 31, 2009 5:48 PM By SUZANNE HOHOLIK THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Despite President Barack Obama's campaign promise to withdraw troops from Iraq in 16 months, central Ohio peace activists continue to meet each Saturday on street corners to call for an end to the war.
"I think it's important to keep up the pressure," said Mike Smalz, who held a "Stop Iraq War" sign at the corner of North Broadway and N. High St. today.
"I'm still optimistic that Obama will keep to his pledge and withdraw troops in 16 months."
Not all anti-war groups are staying in the streets, though.
Peace activists in Potsdam, N.Y., gathered every Saturday morning in front of the post office for six years. They've stopped meeting to give Obama a chance to fulfill his promise to the Iraq war.
Obama's election isn't enough reason for the Central Ohioans for Peace to end their peace gatherings in Clintonville and Worthington.
"You're telling me that a group stopped meeting because Obama is president?" said Cornelius Boss of North East Columbus. "That's a tragedy."
About 30 protesters came out for the local demonstrations at the start of the war in 2003.
Now, 10 to 12 people show up each week. In today's cold, there were three activists in Clintonville and four in Worthington.
But those who show up are committed to come out each week until the troops come home.
"I know what war is like," said Christa Gharbo of Worthington, who was a child in Germany during World War II. "I'm anti-war. We have the best hope for Obama, but we're still at war."
Several motorists honked their horns as they drove by the gatherings to show their support.
"We're for Obama, but this is the way we support him," said Rose Stevens of Riverlea.
The group that gathers at Rt. 161 and N. High St. in Worthington is also a study group and invites guest speakers to learn more about the world and international relations and to work toward peace.
"We do other things besides this," said Robert D. Holmes of Worthington. "We're more than just nuts."
shoholik@dispatch.com
Ohio Ping
Coulda fooled me.
But you are nuts.
(Sigh) Lots of unemployed.. with lots of time on their hands.
“You’re telling me that a group stopped meeting because Obama is president?”
War.
It’s cool when Obama does it.
Same thing when Clinton was bombing the Serbs. It wasn’t cool to protest the Clintons.
The MSM was also so on board with Clinton and Gore demonzing Saddam too. It astonishing how intense the language was. They would have supported war with Iraq under Clinton no problem.
Useful idiots didn’t realize the war was only a ploy to get “The One” elected.
It’s now o.k. to win this war for Obama.
Yeah, well if you wan’t have your little anti-war demonstrations.....
How about going over to Iraq, or Afghanistan and doing it.
LOL ... Locally, we still have ... Stop Iraq War, out of Afghanistan, We must Protect GAZA. and ...and in the last week or so.. reappeared is the “End the Cuban Trade Embargo”...
Every Tuesday afternoon, a dozen or so in “GRateful Dead tie dye”, with placards and sandwich boards.. strolled around our Congressman’s LOCAL OFFICE... this group .. THANKING the local CongressIDIOT for keeping up the battle against the Evil King George.
Their also legumes
Yeah, like WOW Dude, it’s much more popular and profitable than what I usually do...
Mike Smalz, attorney for the Appalachian People’s Action Coalition
No surprise here, TR76.
Darn tootin', and it was cold too. Not as cold as lately up your way but it was cold. We had a great time! Hugs to you Tony.
Shouldn’t Code Punk be calling for OB’s impeachement over escalation in Afghanistan. As least go on an all smoothie diet. And picket his Chicago house.
Strike Two.
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