antiwar movement
gaining momentum
BY GARY
HYNDMAN
Staff writer
Ted
Christian was
protective of the more than 2,000 cups in his care.
Each bore a label with the name of an American killed in the Iraqi War.
Christian, a local stock investor, helped organize last week’s demonstration and vigil in front of Greenville’s federal building at the corner of Church and Washington streets to commemorate the 2,000 American soldiers killed so far. He was joined by approximately 60 others of various ages and backgrounds who collectively call themselves the Greenville Antiwar Society.
“As much as anything,” he said, “we would like to see caskets stop coming back to this country.”
Determined to be precise in the remembrance of lives lost, Christian waited until the last minute to confirm that day’s death count. At the time of the vigil, he and volunteers set out 2,002 cups along the sidewalk. A candle was lit in each one.
Christian describes himself as a Libertarian. He moved to Greenville from Florida
Each bore a label with the name of an American killed in the Iraqi War.
Christian, a local stock investor, helped organize last week’s demonstration and vigil in front of Greenville’s federal building at the corner of Church and Washington streets to commemorate the 2,000 American soldiers killed so far. He was joined by approximately 60 others of various ages and backgrounds who collectively call themselves the Greenville Antiwar Society.
“As much as anything,” he said, “we would like to see caskets stop coming back to this country.”
Determined to be precise in the remembrance of lives lost, Christian waited until the last minute to confirm that day’s death count. At the time of the vigil, he and volunteers set out 2,002 cups along the sidewalk. A candle was lit in each one.
Christian describes himself as a Libertarian. He moved to Greenville from Florida
He’s been protesting off and on since before the war began in March 2003.
Near him on the lawn is a stack of worn poster signs for protestors to choose from. Christian carries them around in his old van to be recycled at future protests.
Protestors choose from among signs that read: “Give Iraq liberty or give it death,” “Respect the Geneva Convention” and “Who Would Jesus Bomb?”
As the war drags on toward its third year and the death toll mounts with no end of the Iraqi insurgency in sight, the Wednesday protests are attracting larger numbers, along with fewer derisive shouts from motorists.
The local Soldier 2000 was one of many demonstrations held in Washington and elsewhere across the country. Polls suggest the public’s support for the war is waning.
“Why should it be a left/right (political) issue?” asked Christian. “War is dropping bombs on people.”
Efia Nwangaza, a local attorney and civil rights activist, also participated in the demonstration. She’s a veteran of civil protests, including demonstrations against the 1991 war with Iraq.
Nwangaza said people are turning against the war because of its cost to present and future generations. There
isn’t
enough money to build schools, libraries in some communities are being
forced to close early and there weren’t enough National Guard
to respond to recent hurricanes, she said.
She believes the current protests are different from those that helped bring the Vietnam War to an end. Where that era’s protestors were often motivated by a fear of being drafted, today’s protestors are driven more by humanitarian interests.
She also said the number of protestors reflect the growing diversity of the Upstate’s population.
“People are more comfortable in their political skins,” she said.
Stephen Rose represents the community’s changing face. Rose holds a sign reading “How many more?” while telling his story.
The engineer moved here three years ago from San Francisco to take a job. He joined the demonstrations two-and-a-half years ago after seeing the protestors on his way home from work.
Kathryn McDeed is a Clemson massage therapist studying nursing at Greenville Tech. She began protesting before the war began in October 2002.
“We’re all neighbors, and we’re not acting like it,” she said while waving an earth flag.
Contact Gary
Hyndman at 679-1226 or ghyndman@greenvillejournal.com.She believes the current protests are different from those that helped bring the Vietnam War to an end. Where that era’s protestors were often motivated by a fear of being drafted, today’s protestors are driven more by humanitarian interests.
She also said the number of protestors reflect the growing diversity of the Upstate’s population.
“People are more comfortable in their political skins,” she said.
Stephen Rose represents the community’s changing face. Rose holds a sign reading “How many more?” while telling his story.
The engineer moved here three years ago from San Francisco to take a job. He joined the demonstrations two-and-a-half years ago after seeing the protestors on his way home from work.
Kathryn McDeed is a Clemson massage therapist studying nursing at Greenville Tech. She began protesting before the war began in October 2002.
“We’re all neighbors, and we’re not acting like it,” she said while waving an earth flag.
Julie Turner/Staff
WAR VIGIL: Sixty people gathered outside Greenville's Federal Building to commemorate the 2,000th American soldier killed in Iraq.