Protesters rail against torture, war

Led by war veterans and activists, dozens of protesters on Thursday called on President Barack Obama and congressional leaders to hold former Bush administration officials accountable for torture and other war crimes.

"We're putting an emphasis on human life," said Andy Figorski, an infantryman with the 82nd Airborne who suffered brain damage after his helmet was struck with a round during an ambush in Iraq. "The military isn't the only way you can serve your country. There are things like this. You can be for your country but against war."

The crowd of protesters who gathered at the Salt Lake City-County Building paled in comparison to the thousands who protested President George W. Bush's trip to Utah in 2005. But even with a Democrat in the White House, the anti-war effort is far from over, activists said.

"We need you now more than ever," said KRCL's Troy Williams.

The demonstration was part of a national "Torture Accountability Day." Activists waved signs that read, "Saddam isn't the only criminal" and "Torture = Terrorism." Speakers called on U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate former Bush officials.

Iraq veteran Marshall Thompson marched more than 500 miles across Utah in protest of the war after returning home from the war. He said it has become easier for veterans to speak out against the war in recent years.

But unlike the overall anti-war message, Thompson said Americans do not yet "feel an ownership" for torture and war crimes issues.

"The difference between now and 2003 is just unbelievable," he said. "We've made huge progress in the anti-war effort. Now we just have to turn some of the focus onto war-crimes prosecution."

Activists said partisanship and fear mongering have hurt those efforts.

"When you have terrorists out there looking to kill you, it's easy to believe it's justifiable to cross over that line," said Steve Merrill, a volunteer with High Road for Human Rights. "We just don't think that's an excuse."

e-mail: afalk@desnews.com