200 rally at Capitol
against Iraq occupation Vietnam veteran decries 'waste of money, troops'
In a crowd of about 200 peace and anti-war activists at the state Capitol on Saturday stood Gerald Curtis, listening to people talk about injustices that he says he's seen before. "It's a waste of money, a waste of troops and the killing of innocent Iraqis," the 70- year-old Vietnam veteran said, noting similarities with the war he fought and the war in Iraq. Holding his protest sign, Curtis, of Denver, blended in with others waving their "stop Bush" and "bring the troops home" messages at the rally put on by the Colorado Campaign for Middle East Peace. Rally organizer Kate Goodspeed spoke first, initiating a roll call in which about a half-dozen other anti-war and peace organizations made their presence known. She then led the crowd in anti-war, anti- Bush chants, ending with a call to "support our troops by bringing them home now." Saturday's rally was part of bigger demonstrations at opposite ends of the country. It was held in conjunction with national demonstrations in Washington and San Francisco, which were organized by Act Now to Stop War and End Racism and other anti-war organizations. Although President Bush has declared the major combat in Iraq over, there are still American troops and others fighting in the Middle East to combat terrorism. Boulder resident Alan Wright, 58, held a sign stating, "We demand the whole truth." He said he doesn't think Bush is being honest with Americans about happenings in Iraq and in the United States. He said the government is investing billions of dollars overseas when the money could be better spent in the United States on education, health care and other needs. Staging a small counterprotest, retired Westminster police officer Richard Miller, 52, and five friends showed their support for Bush as they stood on the sidewalk along Lincoln Street, with honking cars to their backs and a few war protesters telling the group to "go home."
"We're here to support the president and support the troops in Iraq and around the world who are fighting the war on terrorism," Miller said.
Miller said his sign, which read, "Don't tread on me," served as a reminder that freedom isn't free. A few feet away from Miller was Adam Banks, 26, of Denver. He, too, showed up to back Bush. "We support our military leaders no matter what because we are under attack," Banks said. "We need to combat terrorism wherever it is." State Patrol Sgt. John Oliver said the event was peaceful. "Everybody's been real great today. Everybody is getting along," he said.
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