Utahns make noise in S.L. to protest Iraq occupation

More than 200 Utahns turned out Saturday to protest the occupation of Iraq and a host of other issues, likely the largest turnout for a peace rally in the state since the war began.

"I'm kind of surprised," Shea Pickelner, a Salt Lake activist and high school teacher, said during the hourlong gathering at the federal buildingdowntown. "I'm pretty impressed this many people came out."

The enthusiastic crowd chanted and waved signs condemning everything from President Bush and his administration's policies, including the Patriot Act, to Israel's opposition to a Palestinian state.

There was even a sing-along to Vietnam-era anti-war songs and a trio of cheerleaders urging the protesters to "take back the power, fight corporate greed" and "wake up and see the light."

Chris Brown of the Wasatch Coalition for Peace and Justice said the event was being held in solidarity with the thousands of Americans nationwide staging similar protests "to demand an end to the occupation of Iraq — now."

Diane Bracey, a postal service employee from Oakley, held a sign that read, "Support Our Troops Bring Them Home." Bracey said she was there "because I don't want any more men and women to die."

Having served herself in the U.S. Army, she said the issue "is personal to me." Bracey said she believes her efforts against the war can make a difference. "If more people see us, perhaps they'll have the courage to speak out," she said.

A small band of protesters stood at the corner of 100 South and State Street, yelling at motorists to "honk for peace." Many driving by did just that, some slowing down to flash peace signs.

Student Aubrey Willey brought her 2-month-old daughter, Isabella, to the protest. "We need peace," Willey said, calling for the tax dollars being spent on Iraq to go instead to jobs, education and health care.

She said she hopes waving a sign that read, "Who Lies? Who Dies? Who Pays? Who Profits?" at passers-by will change minds. "At least we'll be heard finally," Willey said, describing the war as a grab for Iraq's oil.

Scott Cowley, a database administrator at the University of Utah, was one of a half-dozen volunteer "Peace Keepers" charged with making sure the demonstration stayed calm. He recognized many of the protesters Saturday from rallies held before the war began in March.

"A lot of these people here today are concerned about following through," Cowley said. "We all know our children are going to pay for this for generations."

Attendance at Utah peace rallies dropped off dramatically after the war began in March. But Pickelner said there's more support now for the movement. Since President Bush declared the war over on May 1, more than 100 troops have been killed in combat.

"It seems to me sentiment against the war is growing, both nationally and in Utah," Pickelner said. "People are starting to get frustrated . . . . It's just kind of a quagmire over there."

---

E-mail: lisa@desnews.com