MichaelMoore.com

Protesters demand change in war policy

By Martha Bellisle / Reno Gazette-Journal

As President Bush hailed his strategy in Iraq as a necessity for the security of the United States, protesters lined the street corners outside the Reno-Sparks Convention Center Tuesday morning, calling for the end of the war and for Bush's impeachment.

"I think the war was an ill-conceived idea that's costing too much," said Robbin Palmer, 53, of Reno, one of about 100 people gathered to protest Bush's speech to members of the American Legion. "We're spending a lot of money to see our citizens die. It's a travesty."

Sandi Edwards, 57, of Sparks agreed.

"It's important to take a stand right now," said Edwards, as she waved a sign at passing cars. "Some very close friends of mine lost their son in the war, and I'm out here for him. I'd like to honor him and would not like any more of his friends to die."

Young and old, men and women stood for hours under the hot, cloudless sky soliciting honks from passing motorists on Peckham Lane and South Virginia Street with signs critical of Bush and the war.

"Support the Troops, End the War" was the dominant message from the group. Other signs read: "Get out of Iraq," "Impeach," "Support Troops -- Fund the VA," and "How many soldiers does it take to fill your tank?"

"The majority of U.S. citizens are opposed to the war," said Jacob Roberts, a member Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, which coordinated Tuesday's demonstration.

When asked what it would take to achieve the group's goal, Roberts said: "participation -- and getting (U.S. Rep.) Dean Heller to change his vote."

The anti-war group has focused its attention nationwide on members of Congress who have opposed ending the war, including Heller, R-Carson City, he said. Later in the day, the organization planned a "take a stand" town hall meeting to call for Heller's support.

Paul Lindsay, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee, objected to the protest, saying the group is backed by Democrats and only target Republicans.

"This liberal front group for MoveOn.org is attempting to politicize the war on terror while our troops are still fighting in harm's way," Lindsay said.

While generally peaceful, one protester was pushed to the ground by a Veterans of Foreign Wars member on his way to hear Bush speak, said Georgia Hedrick, 67, of Reno.

"He had on an American Legion hat and was in a suit and was pushing his way through the people," Hedrick said. "He pushed one woman into the gutter, and he just kept walking. He didn't stop. He just went on into the parking lot."

Hedrick said the man spoke briefly with several officers standing nearby, but soon went into the center.

"If one of us had pushed him down, we'd be in jail," she said.

The woman who fell, Gail Pratt, 72, left the protest to seek medical attention, Hedrick said.