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Groups of demonstrators try to drive points home
Motorists honk or flash peace signs to show their stance on possible war
By CORISSA JANSEN
cjansen@journalsentinel.com
Last Updated: March 1, 2003
Mount Pleasant
Waving a United Nations flag in one hand and holding a sign in the other saying, "Think - it's patriotic," 54-year-old Theron Snell thinks the possible attack on Iraq is a symptom of "something more insidious" happening in American government, which he believes is changing from a republic into an empire.
Hetland and Snell are worlds apart in ideology, but the two men stood just yards away from each other Saturday morning at the busiest intersection in Racine County, as two divergent groups of demonstrators chanted slogans and waved signs at a steady stream of traffic at Highways 20 and 31 in the Town of Mount Pleasant. More than 100 demonstrators from both sides of the fence lined the highways.
Waving American flags and standing behind a long, waist-high banner saying, "Support Our Troops - Let's Roll," demonstrators supporting a potential attack on Iraq urged passers-by to honk their horns to show support for President Bush and American troops.
"It's the old silent majority story. I think the honkers are telling the real story of how America feels," said Dona Poelman, 38, of Yorkville, as drivers continually blared their horns while passing through the intersection.
Flanking the "Support Our Troops" group were anti-war demonstrators urging a peaceful solution, carrying signs that read: "There must be another way," "No blood for oil" and "Viva La France!", referring to that nation's anti-war stance on the U.N. Security Council.
Some peace demonstrators also carried American flags.
"We actually feel one of the best ways to support the troops is to avoid a war," said 60-year-old Shirley Reynolds of Racine, chairwoman of the Racine Coalition for Peace and Justice. "We're in no way attempting to work against our troops. We're out to save their lives."
The converging rallies, which have taken place at the same intersection for the past few weekends, have resulted in some spirited debates between the two camps. But few disagreements have boiled over into shouting matches, demonstrators from both sides said.
One "Support Our Troops" demonstrator gave what he said was some good-natured ribbing to the anti-war crowd, holding a sign saying "Hippies," with an arrow pointed toward the peace demonstrators.
The sign-maker, 18-year-old Carthage College student Orion Supergan, said he joined the demonstration because he believes the United States needs to make the first move.
If Hussein "strikes first, it's a devastating blow," Supergan said. "We need to stop it before it happens."
Many motorists passing through the intersection rolled down their windows to shout messages to both groups. One man became angry with anti-war protesters, yelling at them from his van as he stopped at a traffic light.
"What about September 11th?" he shouted. "You are all a disgrace to my country!"
One of the peace demonstrators responded with, "I'm proud of my country!"
"Oh yeah? Well, prove it!" the driver shot back.
Other drivers flashed peace signs as they went past; some joined "Support Our Troops" demonstrators in chants of "USA! USA! USA!"
Joining in the chant, Lisa Bell of Franksville came to Saturday's rally on crutches after she twisted her ankle at the previous weekend's demonstration at the same intersection.
"There's no way I was not coming today," said Bell, 49, holding a sign that said, "Oust Saddam: Free Iraq."
Snell, who opposes an attack on Iraq, demonstrated the same conviction as he talked about Bush's apparent resolve to disarm Hussein - by force, if necessary - despite anti-war protests both in the U.S. and abroad.
"I don't think it even matters, to be perfectly honest," Snell said when asked whether he thought anti-war protesters would be heard by the powers that be. "We have no choice but to be here."
Another anti-war protester, Amanda Ward of Racine, said she supports American troops, and that's why she's against a war in Iraq.
"We don't know what kind of crazy war we're walking into, with the threat of chemical weapons and everything," said Ward, 45. "I think (Hussein) is a bad guy, too, but there are other bad guys out there, and in this case, it's all about oil."
Wisconsin Air National Guard member Wade Helding had another take on Hussein.
"I think he's a madman with a lot of dangerous tools, and he's got to be removed one way or the other," said Helding, 28, of Racine. Helding waved a yellow Gadsden flag depicting a coiled rattlesnake and the motto "Don't Tread on Me."
"I like the sentiment - that you're not going to push us around," Helding said.
