Denver to Bush: No War

By Eric Galatas, Rocky Mountain Indymedia, Dec. 15, 2002

Denver, CO – Further evidence that the Bush Administration is going it alone in its crusade for war without end was demonstrated again today in the streets of Denver, Colorado.

The latest in a series of mass demonstrations here against the war on Iraq drew over 1500 people out of their homes and into City Park, clustering around a monument featuring Martin Luther King Jr., Frederick Douglas, Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and Ghandi.

Patricia Byrne came to the protest from Boulder because, as she put it, she had a fire lit under her, lit by her “fireball friend.” Byrne says she is ashamed of her government, and worries that the Bush administration is “going to get us killed.”

Byrne’s fireball friend is one Angie Burnham, also of Boulder, who is concerned that more people aren’t making their fear and outrage over the impending war against Iraq known. Burnham says many of her friends who protested during the anti-war movement in the 60s say that marching won’t make a difference. But Burnham points out that, on the contrary, it was people marching in the streets that stopped the bombing of Cambodia. “Kissenger told the administration that, because of the growing number of people taking to the streets, if we kept bombing, there would be revolution in the streets of America.”

Cynthia Ceelen thinks that more people aren’t marching because of the corporate owned media. “Corporate media won’t get the truth out. All they do is instill fear into people’s heads.” Jonas Ceelen, who joined Cynthia and their daughter Robin, said “it will take the same people power that the military has bomb power to stop war.”

When the procession left City Park, Denver Police agreed to their desire to take over traffic on Colfax, a main Denver arterial. When drivers saw the march, led by representatives of the American Indian Movement, many responded with honks and horns of solidarity.

Shalelia Hamilton, a senior at Denver’s South High School, stumbled onto the protestors and stopped to watch. “This is a very important time, it’s so powerful seeing people like this. I agree with them, I don’t agree with Bush, he’s just trying to make excuses to go to war but he can’t come up with any good ones. Killing people isn’t the answer.” Hamilton added that she particularly liked seeing Native Americans leading the march. “This is their land.”

The demonstrators came in all ages. Two seven year olds had made their own signs: Don’t Kill Innocent People and Kids. A man in his eighties marched and took snapshots, “I want to remember this, for after we stop the war.”

A 71 year old veteran of wars fought in Korea and Viet Nam stopped to watch the march after finishing an early lunch at Burger King. “They’re very brave, determined, courageous to be out here against the war, I’ve been in a couple myself. Unless Saddam does something nasty, I say leave them alone. If they do something nasty, I say pound them into the stone age.”

Siokatame Halaifonua, a contractor taking a break in paint splattered pants, agreed with the signs he saw on the streets as marchers passed by. “Why should we interfere with someone’s life, telling others what to do instead of dealing with our own problems?” If he weren’t working today, Halaifonua said, he’d gladly join in the demonstration.

A woman, racing on the sidewalk parallel with the march in a wheelchair, seemed energized by what she saw. “Colorado is a right wing state, but these kids are going to take it back!”

Music added to the scene and rhythm of the demonstration. Four drums of varying type and a tuba came together to form an ad hoc marching band, inspiring 4 year old twins Derrian and Derrius Peterson to dance on a bus stop bench.

When the march reached the State Capitol, it split into two lanes and encircled the building. A giant puppet, blindfolded, with blood on its hands and a sign that read “American blinded by war,” became the centerpiece of a ritualistic dance circle, which ended with performers falling down as if dead.

The American Indian Movement ended the march with a sacred thank you song. “We want to thank the children for being here today, this is their way, this is their land, and we don’t want to see any children hurt.”

One of the event’s organizers, in a series of performers and speakers on the steps of the Capitol, summed up the purpose of the demonstration.

“This is not only about resistance, this is about transforming our society into our dreams and our hopes for a better world.”