Anti-War Protest in Salem Sunday

Most capitol city demonstrations in recent years, even when sizable, have remained peaceful and calm.

(SALEM, Ore.) - More than 40 anti-war groups will gather in Salem at the Oregon State Capitol Sunday for a rally and march in support of keeping Oregon National Guard troops out of Iraq.

The event is scheduled to take place at 1:00 p.m. on the Capitol steps. “Stop the Wars at Home and Abroad -- Keep Oregon’s Guard Home from Iraq and Afghanistan” marks the 6th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. The actual date was March 19th.

The group scheduled to deploy to Iraq next year is the Oregon National Guard's 41st Brigade Combat Team. This is a military group that has already seen a good deal of action in war deployments. They were in Afghanistan most recently, in a deployment that spanned 2006 and 2007.

Many activists say the frustrations over the pending deployment are heightened by the knowledge that the United States is on its way out of Iraq.

Michelle Darr is Oregon's most well-known peace activist; she caused a stir in recent months by camping out on the capitol steps in protest of the upcoming deployment to Iraq. Her plight has been covered by Oregon media and she is praised and criticized for her plan to do all she can to halt the deployment before it takes place.

We have received plenty of email and comments from members of the Oregon National Guard over the capitol steps protest. Most Oregon Guard soldiers say they are personally supportive of the deployment. Some say they are not and some have even joined Darr's protest.

Salem is no stranger to demonstrations, and anti-war sentiments during the Vietnam conflict led to large scale protests and clashes between rival groups.

Most capitol city demonstrations in recent years, even when sizable, have remained peaceful and calm.

It will be interesting to see how things go tomorrow and it is almost certain that the event will win more hearts and minds if it remains peaceful and non-violent.

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Concerned Veteran March 15, 2009 12:58 pm (Pacific time)

I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to. I make frequent donations to different charities but I make sure they are deserving and not running some scam on me. Government cannot force us to be charitable, it is their obligation to enforce the laws, which includes the immigration laws. As George Washington said about
Charity: “It is not everyone who asketh that deserveth charity; all however, are worth of the inquiry or the deserving may suffer.” That is we have limited resources and our citizens come first. I am in full agreement that we cut off all funding to Israel, including military support (and replacement parts!). Let them use primitive weapons like those they butcher.

Editor: Thanks for your insightful comment and thanks for your service to your country

Snoozer March 15, 2009 12:30 pm (Pacific time)

So, clear out of left field, you assume I'm against "civil rights" and accuse me of it in public. How did you come to imagine this, and why would you be so silly as to publicly state this, without having ANY information to back that up? I happen to think "counter-protests" are perfectly legitimate free speech, and no only that, when Conservatives do it, the truth is finally told, not the lies of the left. Or do you consider "civil rights" to consist solely of LEFT LEANING speech?

Editor: We can't "publicly" accuse anyone of anything when they use the name "Snoozer" to identify themself; you are anynomous and using a silly name and there is no way that connects to anything on a public level. I will admit that some of your comments make sense but the originate from what appears to be an extremely narrow point of view. I don't endorse the use of blinders on humans and I can't free you of yours. So, while I agree with little, there are some good points that you make. My goal in life is to see Americans come together and I think much of what you write is based in anger and intolerance. Still for what it is worth, I'm glad you take the time to at least write some things that make sense. Regarding the last thing you stated, I personally think it is 100% anti-American to criticize the ACLU; and I'm sure you equate that group that represents Civil Rights with being leftist, true?

All American March 14, 2009 11:28 pm (Pacific time)

Americans have a right to do this, where is that moron coming from? Oh wait, I get it, he's asleep.

J Men forever March 14, 2009 7:37 pm (Pacific time)

It also happens to be an anti-Israel and pro-immigrant rally. Way to go anti-semites and people who want handouts. Those of us who have jobs and lives salute you!

Tim King: That's right, I forgot to mention that the rally is also designed to stand against the heinous acts of the Israeli government (Greedy recipients of U.S. taxpayer "handouts" by the billion since 1948) that were committed against the innocent Palestinians of Gaza. You are a sick and twisted person if you equate defending the rights of the innocent against the ruthless and Hell-like slaughter from the IDF with anti-Semitism. What a freakish and tragic thing to say. I mean maybe you're just mentally challenged, I know that's possible, but you were supposed to learn long ago that the last thing God ever expected from the Jewish race was what he saw in December and January. Your "pro-immigration" statment frees your cat from any bag it may have been in. It reeks of racism and even if you whine and claim to not be one, there are few other people taking time to insult it as a movement. I think the whole "immigration" part is nothing more than a mask for racism anyway. Handouts? Poor bashing is a low life sport; you deserve a medal.

Henry Ruark March 14, 2009 7:11 pm (Pacific time)

To all: First Amendment right are further supported by right to associate and gather in protest. SO "Go it, ALL !" with any and all points of view...and great place to sell DVDs if you have any made up... Might recoup sponsor costs that way...

Snoozer March 14, 2009 4:13 pm (Pacific time)

That's almost enough for me to get a bumper sticker saying "Conquer Al Qaida" and a big flag and go disrupt their juvenile and stupid "protest". They're too dumb to know what war is or even why they don't know what it is.

Editor: Without a doubt they say the same thing about you. People who don't like Civil Rights that American servicemen have given their lives to defend have every right to move to eastern Europe or whatever place you might feel more comfortable. I'll be sure to tell the combat vets at the protest that our conservative visitors think they are juvenile and stupid. Imagine, wanting peace and prosperity for people... the nerve of them.

stephen March 14, 2009 3:08 pm (Pacific time)

on its way out of Iraq to Afghanistan..Pakistan, etc. the bush/cheney empire to conquer the world continues. How many leaders in history have tried to rule the world? ALL OF THEM

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