Protesters, War Supporters Descend on Washington

WASHINGTON — Charlie Jackson, a 48-year-old anti-war activist from Austin, waved the Texas state flag in front of the White House Saturday to rally opposition to the Iraq policy of the Texan who lives inside.

"What we're trying to do still is to end this war. We've got to keep the pressure up in Washington, in El Paso, in McAllen. We've got to do it until we get this thing stopped," said Jackson, a technology firm executive and the founder of Texans for Peace.

Led by men and women who have fought in Iraq, Jackson was among thousands of protesters from across the country who gathered at Lafayette Park, across from the White House, and then marched up Pennsylvania Avenue to the U.S. Capitol — reversing the route of an inaugural parade.

At least 150 people were arrested, many for jumping over a barricade near the base of the Capitol.

The rally, organized by the ANSWER Coalition and other groups, was not the first protest nor the largest against a controversial war that has dragged on for nearly half a decade. But those who joined hoped it would finally push President Bush and Congress to bring the troops home.

"I'm hoping that this march will be historic," said Leslie Harris, a retired teacher from Flower Mound, Texas. "It is led by Iraq veterans against the war. Nobody can say they're not patriotic. They volunteered to defend our country but they found out that's not what we're doing in Iraq."

A smaller number of counter-protesters lined the sidewalks along the way but even many of them agreed that those who had fought in the war had earned a right to speak out on it.

"If anybody has a right to voice their opinion, it's them," said Dennis Beck, a Vietnam War veteran from Columbus, Ga. He and his wife, Beth Cullom, were among those who came to express support for the U.S. mission in Iraq. Their 28-year-old son, Chris, was wounded and disabled fighting in Iraq and is now a college student in California.

"We're not going to sit back and watch another Vietnam," said Cullom, awaiting the parade of protesters. "If they're going to voice their opinion, so are we. The media controls everything and can change the way people view the war. It happened in Vietnam and we left a lot of people who trusted America out in the cold. I don't want to see that happen again."

Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who is running for president, made a surprise visit to the counter-protest.

Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan and former attorney general Ramsey Clark were among those who addressed the anti-war rally.

The opposing views were displayed on hundreds of placards and T-shirts.

"War Never Solved Anything Except Slavery, Genocide, Nazism and Fascism" said a pro-Bush sign. "Win the War or Join the Jihad" said another. "Safe Since 9-11."

From the other side, a model oil derrick opened and closed Bush's mouth on one sign. "Hey Dick, Take George Hunting," said another placard.

An anti-war marcher wore a T-shirt advertising "Homegrown Texas Dope" and showing a smiling Bush blooming as a flower in a marijuana plant. "My Heroes Have Always Killed Cowboys" said a T-shirt showing a picture of an Indian warrior and worn by a self-avowed Socialist.

On a sunny day, the crowd was full of cell phones, digital cameras and excited activists.

"The number of people against the war is growing. Many are frustrated because the Congress can't get the administration off the dime to stop it. Now they're talking about five more year," said Jackson.

"I'm here just out of frustration with Congress," echoed Dave Jensen, 55, a building contractor from Tyler. "The public sentiment in this country is against the war. So the time has come for Congress to defund it. There's enough money in the pipeline to get the troops home."

A comparison to Vietnam is apt, said Jensen. "If we withdraw now, the result is going to be the same as it will be if we withdraw in 10 years."

"My overwhelming desire is to see things change in this country," said Carol Ezell, who owns a classic car restoration shop in Dallas. "The majority of people are against the war. It's just a matter of getting them to participate."

Public pressure is what will stop the war, said Harris, the protester from Flower Mound. "At this point, it's an emergency. Congress is not going to do anything. It's up to the people."

Linda Foley flew up from Fort Worth to join her comrades in Code Pink, an anti-war feminist group that mixes satire with protest.

"This is my first anti-war rally but it's almost like a Texas homecoming. All my friends are here," said Foley, who flew to join 15 other Texans who rode up in a van. "I can't believe there are still people who support the war. We've made a complete mess of it and we're going to be paying for generations."

She hugged Mike McNeil, a 39-year-old Marine veteran of the Gulf War who also came from Fort Worth. A writer, he was among those on the 24-hour van ride.

"They camouflaged this as a war on terror but it's really a war for greed," said McNeil. "People have got to stand up. The reason we finally got out of Vietnam is that there was discord at home and the Vietnam veterans started standing up against that war."

"It's Vietnam all over again, only worse," said Mona Hall, a Code Pink activist from Plano. "We're speaking up for all our boys and girls over there."

There is "an electricity that you can feel" going though a crowd united in common purpose, said Kory Wynegar, who flew up from Houston. The expense "was worth it," she said, because "I felt I had to come and show my disapproval (with the war). I don't feel like I'm represented" in this Congress and administration.

Some of the anti-war military veterans came to the protest aboard the "Yellow Rose of Texas Bus for Peace," a bus driven and owned by Jim Goodnow of Terlingua, Texas.

"We've been on the road for two years and two days. We've driven 75,000 miles and been in 29 states" in the movement to end the war, said Goodnow.

But about 1,000 supporters of the war came from around the country, too.

Myra and Scott Bushnell, both members of a group called Gathering of Eagles that supports the Bush policy in Iraq, came from Orlando.

"We are a very conservative couple. We believe in our country and we believe that people that are anti-war are also anti-troops and that is not right," said Myra.

Asked about Iraq war veterans who now oppose the war, she said "They have a right to do what they think is right but I think God knows the best side for us. If we pull out, it would be just like Vietnam, another failure."