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Anti-War Movement Switches Focus to Afghanistan

Dwindled movement seeks revival as war enters 9th year

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Oct 7, 2009 2:31 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The anti-war movement isn't the force it was in the '60s or even six years ago, but organizers are hoping a campaign of protests this fall will gain momentum and capitalize on the growing unpopularity of the Afghanistan war. The National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, an umbrella organization for dozens of diverse groups, held its first protest against the Afghanistan war outside the White House Monday, but could only muster a few hundred activists.

The DC rally competed for attention with noisy construction work and smaller protests, including a gaggle of birthers. After protesters began chaining themselves to the White House fence and ignored orders to move on, 63 were arrested, including tireless anti-war campaigner Cindy Sheehan, whose soldier son died in Iraq. Many at the DC rally plan to attend events around the country today marking the war's 8th anniversary. "This could be a turning-point kind of moment," one organizer told the Washington Post.

Cindy Sheehan is taken into custody by a park police officer during a demonstration in front of the White House in Washington on Monday.
Cindy Sheehan is taken into custody by a park police officer during a demonstration in front of the White House in Washington on Monday.   (AP Photo/ Haraz N. Ghanbari)
Thousands of people participate in a demonstration against the war in Iraq as part of a national day of protest in New York two years ago.
Thousands of people participate in a demonstration against the war in Iraq as part of a national day of protest in New York two years ago.   (AP Photo/Dima Gavrysh)
Cindy Sheehan, left, and an unidentified woman, who chained themselves to a fence in front of the White House in Washington Monday are questioned by park police officers.
Cindy Sheehan, left, and an unidentified woman, who chained themselves to a fence in front of the White House in Washington Monday are questioned by park police officers.   (AP Photo/ Haraz N. Ghanbari)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
riffran
Oct 8, 2009 4:41 AM CDT
its all good koku...said along time ago that YOU were one of the more level headed here..(even though a bit too left...har har..:)....) but usually quite salient
jimw428
Oct 7, 2009 12:33 PM CDT
It's disgraceful how Cindy Sheehan exploits her son's death to create a political limelight for herself. Her son not only volunteered, but reenlisted. Sadly in war, people die. She would garner more respect if she spent her time honoring her son's service instead of her headline grabbing antics.
divetrader
Oct 7, 2009 12:12 PM CDT
I have a great deal of respect for Cindy Sheehan. She fought tirelessly to get to the truth about the cover up of her sons death. A cover up the McChrystal was directly involved with. A cover up that Bush used for political gain. Cindy's son joined the military to go to Afghanistan in what he thought was a good cause at the time. That cause and time ran out a long time ago
Politics • US

 
protests • Cindy Sheehan • anti war movement • protesters • activists • Afghanistan war • peace movement

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