Opponents of the war in Iraq marched today in a clamorous day of protest, song and remembrance of the dead, some showing surprisingly diverse political views even as they spoke with one loud voice in wanting U.S. troops home.
Students rallied against the U.S. involvement in Iraq at a protest that drew a national crowd of 100,000 people to Washington, D.C., on Saturday.
Crowds opposed to the war in Iraq surged past the White House on Saturday, shouting “Peace now” in the largest anti-war protest in the U.S. capital since the invasion.
Vast numbers of protesters from around the country poured onto the lawns behind the White House on Saturday to demonstrate their opposition to the war in Iraq…
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Answer Coalition (A.N.S.W.E.R.) is a protest organization established by the International Action Center which has some overlap in its membership with the Workers World Party (a communist party in the United States).
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United for Peace and Justice (The organization, which primarily organizes large-scale protests, was founded by Leslie Cagan and others in October 2002, during the build-up to the U.S.’s 2003 invasion of Iraq. The direct precursor to UFPJ was “United We March!”, initiated by Global Exchange, the Green Party of the United States, and others, which organized the April 20th demonstration against the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan.) At least, they’re honest when they say: “United for Peace and Justice is not just bringing huge numbers of people to Washington to protest the Iraq War …“
And here’s a sampling of messages from the “anti-Iraq-war” rally
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“We need to make a strong connection between Katrina and the Antiwar Movement on September 24.”
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“End Colonial Occupation: Iraq, Palestine, Haiti, Afghanistan and Everywhere”
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“Support the Palestinian People’s Right of Return”
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“Stop the Racist Anti-Immigrant, Anti-Labor Offensive”
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“U.S. Out of the Philippines“
So this wasn’t a “mandate of opposition to the Iraq war”. Sure, some protestors were there to protest the policies towards Iraq. But the attendance totals included those supporting Palestine, Mumia, the Cuban 5, Aristide, Labor issues, third world countries and more. They’re retreads from the 60s and 70s in their waning days of protest glory and opposition to hygeine. Even the Kossaks are unimpressed with the hodgepodge of extremist movements at these rallies (via Instapundit hat tip: Kevin).
When your protests are sponsored by communists, not focused on any single cause, consist of the same tired, anti-American rhetoric spewed for decades by the same anti-establishment hippies, and you can’t even keep the wholesale support of the staunchest of liberals… it sends more of a message than your bullhorns and loud speakers. It’s evident this isn’t about Bush or Iraq. It’s a continuation of anti-Americanism that prior generations have seen. And like those who’ve encountered it before… we’re laughing at you too.
