40 Anti-War Groups Demonstrate for Peace in Salem (VIDEO)

(SALEM, Ore.) - Hundreds of anti-war demonstrators gathered in Salem today to call for an end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and to condemn the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The event was also held to stand for the rights of immigrants.

Some of the peace activists are military veterans. One woman who spoke to Salem-News is a member of the group, Veterans for Peace.

I asked this veteran, whose name is Janicka, to tell us what the message is. "Two things mainly; out of Iraq and out of Afghanistan and a campaign to bring the Oregon Guard home to Oregon. They're set to deploy next month."

Tim James of Portland, is a Vietnam Veteran. He said it is troubling that things haven't changed yet under the new presidency. "We're just here to remind our new government that many of us supported Obama because of his opposition to the Gulf War."

The President has been under a barrage of accusations in recent weeks from right wing pundits who claim he is a Socialist. Since the Socialist Party was in attendance at today's event, I asked Glenn Kirkindall of the Freedom Socialist Party to comment on that connection.

"My thought is that Barack is not a Socialist, and neither he or the Democrats are going to end the war and the only way we can end the war is if we fight for Socialism here."

Obama's policies are winning few friends out of this crowd, and many say his presidency is just an extension of the last.

"He has the same monetary interest running our country. Bush, Obama, it doesn't matter the President. Presidents are figureheads. We need to start looking beyond that and looking at economics. Pay attention to the Federal Reserve," activist Mike Smith of Portland said.

Numerous speakers took to the podium during this peace demonstration and rally. Some were media personalities and some are combat veterans who have strong feelings on the war based on personal experience.

And one person at the event, Q Madp of IraqWarHeroes.org said it is still most important to remember the sacrifice of those who serve.

"Without our men and women in the military, to protect our rights and constitution, there wouldn't be any of this."

The march was put together by 40 different organizations and KBOO Radio was there to help spread the word of peace through the airwaves.

There had been some speculation that today's event had the potential of getting out of control, but in the end it was just a simple peace demonstration, much like Salem has seen in the past.

HERE ARE PHOTOS OF THE SALEM PEACE MARCH AND RALLY BY Q MADP POF IRAQWARHEROES.ORG:

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Tim King is a former U.S. Marine with twenty years of experience on the west coast as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor. In addition to his role as a war correspondent, this Los Angeles native serves as Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor.
Tim spent the winter of 2006/07 in Afghanistan with Oregon troops. Tim recently returned from Iraq where he covered the war there while embedded with an Oregon Guard aviation unit. Serving the community in very real terms, Salem-News.com is the nation's only truly independent high traffic news Website, affiliated with Google News and several other major search engines and news aggregators.
You can send Tim an email at this address: newsroom@salem-news.com

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Hunny March 25, 2009 10:26 am (Pacific time)

Thank you again for airing Q Madp at www.iraqwarheroes.org. The more exposure, the more people can appreciate the cause. Thank you!

Henry Ruark March 16, 2009 6:21 pm (Pacific time)

Friend Arnie: Never forget, we are all immigrants, some earlier than others. Also recall that it was for sure immigrants that made us what we are now. SO we need sensible, secure, rational policy permitting the entry of a reasonable number, reasonably qualified. Not too hard, we've already done it for decades. We need also to adjust our trade, corporate tax, social programs, and healthcare benefits to obviate the unfair advantages now accruing to the corporate low-cost production and service facilities in Mexico --notorious for creating mere survival reality for too many Mexican workers, who then seek better situations here. Economics involved now radically changed due to current worldwide crisis, new situation even more complex. See previous Op Eds for further detail --or why not write one yourself ? One of best way to learn is to prepare for writing...as much psychological research taught long ago. That's why prolific reporters are often well-informed on wide areas of interest, while woefully weak on many others !

Dennis Jette March 16, 2009 12:24 pm (Pacific time)

I'm always glad to see peaceful demonstrations for it allows the focus to stay track. Since this also dealt with "immigration rights", there is a lawful process in place. I assume many out there are aware of the intense drug violence that is happening in Mexico and along the border. These drug cartels are also located all over America, including Salem where this above demonstration took place. I just came across the below poll and it shows that America will soon be putting pressure on the Obama Administration to do something about securing our border, so any future demonstrations on immigration may not be very fruitful. See for yourself: "Seventy-nine percent (79%) of U.S. voters now say the military should be used along the border with Mexico to protect American citizens if drug-related violence continues to grow in that area. This marks a 21-point jump in support for the use of the U.S. military along the border in just two months." www.rasmussen.com

arnieosp March 16, 2009 12:08 pm (Pacific time)

Henry, I bet there hundreds of millions of people worldwide who would love to live in the US. Are you going to let them all in? If yes, how are you planning on paying for it. If not, where are going to draw the line, and how are you going to select, who gets in and who doesn't?

stephen March 16, 2009 9:45 am (Pacific time)

I would have went to the rally, but I was out of town. And gail.. there are many videos out now showing very peaceful demonstrations where police come and arrest everyone anyway, for no reason. Several police officers have been arrested, for going undercover as a protestor, starting violence to instigate violence. It is getting crazy out there. The powers to be have done much to scare people into not protesting. But we should not let fear guide our peaceful actions. People need to remember, getting arrested only puts you in jail for a few hours and a fine. Most times, the arrest gets dismissed. It is worth it to protect the bill of rights. Google "police pose as protesters"

chris jones March 16, 2009 9:29 am (Pacific time)

"Obama's policies are winning few friends out of this crowd, and many say his presidency is just an extension of the last."...They must have seen this--The Obama Deception (full version-high quality)--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw

Henry Ruark March 16, 2009 9:24 am (Pacific time)

A-osp et al: "Hundreds" is plural, as is 200 --so estimate is accurate and correct, yours simpleton way to discredit if possible. Re connection with immigrant policy, human rights are just that: HUMAN --and need very special due care at all times, even when distorted by current attitudes lingeringly still supported by some, for obvious political-pander reasons. For all: Naomi Wolf's latest is: "Give Me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries"; Simon/Schuster,08; Paperback: ISBN-13:978-1-4165-9056-9. It is compehensive guide to improve,strengthen,support and motivate, demonstrate that our America "is not a country, but a state of mind".

Vic March 16, 2009 9:15 am (Pacific time)

Agree wholeheartedly, Gail.

Arnieosp March 16, 2009 8:03 am (Pacific time)

"Hundreds" is a bit overstatement. I would say 200 people at the most. I had a hard time understanding what did the illegal immirants have to do with the peace rally.

Katrina March 16, 2009 6:58 am (Pacific time)

Alwways a pleasure to see Q Madp at an event and hear what he has to say, he always has an important and intelligent message. How he can manage amongst some of the most leftist crowds is beyond me, this man has alot of strength and courage.

gail March 16, 2009 4:18 am (Pacific time)

"Just a simple peace demonstration", that's right, they are all the same, Naomi Wolfe is right, the only way to say "NO BUSINESS AS USUAL, and make change is for traffice to stop, people to refuse to get permits, for there to be a take over of the streets by the people. I am not advocating violence to people or property, only that demonstrations have turned into feel good events and don't do much good in changing anything. After all, there were 80,000 people in the streets of Portland at the start of the war in Iraq and 2 or 3 times that in other cities in the USA. Time to block traffic folks, time to have a general strike, no work, no transportation, no business as usual.

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40 Anti-War Groups Demonstrate for Peace in Salem (VIDEO)

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