Author: Marjorie Camarda and Nina Pine
It has become a common scene here in Eagle Rock. Every Saturday, since November 2002, a group of protestors have been demonstrating against the war in Iraq at the corner of Eagle Rock Blvd. and Colorado Blvd. This group of individuals protests every weekend in opposition to the war in Iraq, protestor Barbara Schumacher said.
“This war is unnecessary,” Schumacher said. “Any rational person could tell that there were no weapons in Iraq. Scott Ritter said that there weren’t any, but no one listened to him. This war is a waste of our money and resources and innocent people are being killed for no logical reason.”
The group of protestors said they have received varied reactions from the Eagle Rock community. The majority of the feedback has been positive, but on occasions supports of the war will speak-up in opposition to the weekly demonstration. “About nineteen out of twenty are on our side,” Schumacher said. Occasionally drivers will use yell vulgar remarks at the protestors, including “hippie” to “f*** you,” she said. The protestors are not at all discouraged by this. In fact they are thankful they do not often face worse. “The only time anyone has thrown anything at us was during one candle light vigil-a man threw a bottle at us,” Schumacher said.
Many onlookers falsely assume the protestors are opposed to all war, Schumacher said. She recalled an individual who asked for her opinion on World War Two. “I am not against all war, for example I believe that World War Two was necessary,” Schumacher said. To garner support, the protestors said they believe it is important to overcome the stereotype that activism is blind disobedience and to inform people that protest also requires critical thought and reflection.
Regarding the current debate over whether the troops should be pulled out immediately or not, Schumacher expressed her strong opposition towards sending additional troops to Iraq. She described the situation in Iraq as “pouring gasoline on a fire.” While she acknowledged that there is not a simple solution, she said drastic policy changes are necessary.
In her opinion, any type of American military presence is a hindrance to peace, and the best thing the U.S. can do at this point is provide solely monetary assistance, Schumacher said. “We are going to have to keep bankrolling and supporting Iraq because we are obligated to do so. But we don’t have the credibility to be there, 80 percent of Iraqis want us to leave, and so we have to get troops from other Muslim countries to help,” she said. Peace is her priority, and she said that with so much animosity toward American soldiers, peace can’t be cultivated with their presence.
Schumacher encourages the Eagle Rock community and Occidental students do to join their cause. Every Saturday night the protesters host a candle light vigil from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. There is another held in Highland Park on Figueroa and York Blvd. on Sunday mornings at 11 a.m. One protestor added that they would be “ecstatic” if any Oxy students were willing to protest with them or attend one of their vigils.
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