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TechnoratiIraq Vets Bring Taste of War To Denver
Two dozen Iraq war veterans brought Baghdad to Denver's sidewalks Tuesday, repeatedly staging guerrilla-style theater before a confused yet generally supportive audience of pedestrians.
![[Members of Iraq Veterans Against the War and their supporters conduct a mock military arrest of people acting as "Iraqis" during a street- theater protest Tuesday in downtown Denver. The scene drew the praise of war critic U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich. (Rick Egan, MediaNews Group ) ]](http://www.commondreams.org/files/article_images/ivawdenver.jpg "ivawdenver.jpg")
For the veterans, who aggressively engaged with 50 volunteers
acting as Iraqi civilians, this was their personal version of shock and
awe.
The goal of Iraq Veterans Against the War was to educate people about the reality of occupying a foreign land and the rigors faced by the U.S. military and the Iraqi people. To do so, the veterans broke into two squads, invisible weapons at the ready as they marched from street to street, facing off with loud, angry packs of pretend Iraqis.
"It's not everything that happens in Iraq, but it's a piece of the reality," said Geoffrey Millard, an organizer who served in Iraq. "It scares people, and it should. You should be scared when your country is occupied."
The effort garnered support from two renowned members of the anti-war movement: U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic.
"Thank you very much for standing for peace," Kucinich told one of the squads that came across him outside a restaurant.
Kovic, who took a bullet through the spine that left him paralyzed four decades ago, met the veterans at the Veterans Memorial at Civic Center.
"The world is watching you today," Kovic said to the veterans. "You are the moral high ground . . . the truth that must be spoken."
Each time the veterans staged a scenario - whether it was pretending to take direct fire or detain a wanted person - scores of people looked on, unsure of what they were watching. Emotions at times were raw, such as when the veterans would grab a volunteer, taking him or her down, strapping their arms behind their backs and putting a white synthetic hood over their heads.
Some misunderstood the demonstrations, but volunteers floated along the outskirts, handing out fliers that explained the effort.
"It bothers me," said Kathy Johnson, 57, of Denver, whose 24- year-old son is soon heading with his Army unit to Iraq.
After someone explained what the veterans were doing, Johnson became supportive.
It was still hard to watch, she said, knowing these were the sorts of moments awaiting her son.
"I worry about how he's going to come back," she said.
Not everyone appreciated it, though.
One woman watched for a moment and then muttered, "No one told (Gen. Dwight) Eisenhower to bring the troops home. You guys would all be speaking German now."
But Ben Yoder, 31, of Denver, found it fascinating.
"You don't see this every day," Yoder said.
18 Comments so far
Show AllThank you vets.
Joe
To the woman who brought up WWII, here's some German that comes to mind when thinking of Bush and the war:
Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer.
EXCELLENT! And I'll also express thanks to IVAW and all veterans who participated or contributed, as well as for all spectators who were supportive; once they understood what was going on anyway. It's both excellent anti-war theatrics and funny in a good way.
Sure beats reading about Code Pinkers supporting Billary! Read that yesterday and felt like [vomiting].
There's no comparison between the war or military veterans and goofy ladies dressed in pink pretending it's stylish, and pretending to be truly anti-war, etc., all while additionally supporting [evil] Billary or evil Clinton[s]; very evil, and by their own [choices].
Mike, just have to point this little fact out to you. Code Pink was out there in the Fall of 2002 fasting in front of the White House trying to prevent the da*n invasion of Iraq. They knew then that the people and Congress could be conned into supporting such an action. They were trying to prevent what IVAW members are now trying to stop. Please, let's get facts in order. Also, Code Pink dogged Hillary all over the country and also in her D.C. offices. I think you've been fed a line by someone!
The members of IVAW are truly a great group of young men and women and I know they will continue to grow their membership. It will only be when the soldiers stop obeying the illegal orders in this immoral, illegal Occupation that the powers that be will have to bring them ALL home.
I would like to see this demonstration continued, expanded, and performed in more cities. Thank you for your service and continued heroism.
"One woman watched for a moment and then muttered, "No one told (Gen. Dwight) Eisenhower to bring the troops home. You guys would all be speaking German now."
First of all, that was 65 years ago, so what does WWII have to do with the atrocities committed in Iraq by the US military?
And second, the real reason why that woman was bothered, is because she was forced to look into the mirror as American, and didn't like what she saw. So she takes it out on the brave IVAW. Poor stupid soul.
God Bless the IVAW. Men and women with souls returned from the Hell called Iraq and are brave enough to tell the truth. They are true American heros. Never forget: It takes far more courage to refrain from squeezing the trigger than to squeeze it.
Speaking of Dwight D. Eisenhower; wasn't he the one who said, "Beware of the military-industrial complex."?
These vets are the true patriots of America. They have learned a great lesson and are trying to pass on their first hand knowledge of the war. America would be wise to listen and support them. Before it's too late. Uncle Sam's IRON HEEL is marching in Denver.
Hoa binh
Anyone have anything they'd like to comment on or ask questions about?
Denver Police Headquarters 1331 Cherokee St. 720-913-6010
Listen up, people. There's a vibrant antiwar movement going on right now. Democrats ran on a pledge to end the war and lied, so they are facing defections to the Nader and McKinney. We could have another 2000 Florida scenario. The Democrats know this, and the DLC/DNC have authorized the use of force and freedom cages.
The protest visual was depicted in the movie "Born on the 4th of July" in the 1972 Republican Convention in Miami, where Ron Kovic, wheelchair-bound, rushed in. This imagery has been recreated by the Iraq Veterans Against the War, a group of brave veterans who are directly challenging the Democrats.
I saw a IVAW leader at the wall in front of the Capitol Building in September, 2007 during the huge ANSWER rally there, where he was pacing around the die-in. The dilemma at that point was how to avoid arrest. Those that did get arrested were ALL found not guilty later in Court.
See my photos of the event on my blog here (halfway down the entry.) I've also got a newly annotated video there on my main page, right side.
The Capitol Police were cautious in the use of force, unlike the Denver police. Perhaps the Denver cops feel they can get away with what they do, being that protesters will likely not come back to their city.
The most dangerous aspect is the criminalization of dissent. Those that speak out against the War Party are physically abused, marginalized. Scarily, over 2/3rds of Americans are antiwar, which means the popular will has been subverted by the ruling minority.
Big thank you to our Iraq veterans for taking a stand on this illegal, immoral war. It takes a lot of guts to keep fighting. Good going!
Breakdown
Who fashioned this military where the rule of law, yea, even the rule of self-preservation is savaged and a lie?
Would trust be in play if there be disrespect among comrades-in-arms and a life be in the balance?
Can the blame be centered in the few when leaders lie and cheat for profit and send others to die?
Is war the answer as to why? It is to pat an answer and to blame an action is to remove blame from where it belongs. So many People ravaged with no chance.
Kill at a distance, plane, boat, truck, car, on foot and it looks so easy and play it right and you don’t give your life to chance but maybe come back home to PTSD and feel your heart and soul cry.
War for this country is of the people, for the people and under the Constitution, all of this has been scraped for greed what our leaders desire, Is this not mad? For this our people should have no tolerance
Tony 7/23/06
A huge "Thank You" to IVAW, to Geoffrey, Adam, Kelly, Garrett, Leonard and all the other young men and women who have shown the courage, humanity, fortitude and intelligence to actively oppose this illegal occupation of Iraq. As a member of VFP I have met and engaged with many of these folks and can unequivocally attest to their integrity. They, and others like them, are the life-blood of this endangered democracy. And I readily hold them up as an example to my 16 year-old son.
See you all in Minneapolis!
Thinking of what the founders of this country intended, within the frame of their worldview, and what it has become is a real tragedy. The real villains are not the corporations who are only doing what corporations do, but those who aid and abet them. I hold the politicians entirely responsible for this. The media is no longer the fourth estate, it is an extension of the corporate empire and as such no longer deserves it's first amendment protections under the Constitution. Of course the Constitution itself has become a sad joke. And it isn't just George W Bush to blame for that. Congress has written laws emasculating it and even Bill Clinton has signed some of them.
One of the reasons for animosity within the Democratic party is that Obama, Biden, and Dean are attempting to wrest party control from the DLC. Interesting times.
When the people fear their government there is tyranny,
when the government fears the people there is liberty.
~ Thomas Jefferson
One woman watched for a moment and then muttered, "No one told (Gen. Dwight) Eisenhower to bring the troops home. You guys would all be speaking German now."
__________________________________________________
Why would that bother her?
She's already got the Good German mentality-- she might as well speak the language.
The German mentality you speak of is identical to the American mentality of our times. Remember the White Rose Society in Germany? Well where are they now in war-mongering USA!!!!!
LOL. Nice one!
So true. It's always appalling to me to hear people that purport to "love" America and all our "freedoms" telling people that they don't agree with to shut the hell up. It's freedom of speech, just as long as you don't say too much and you keep to the script.
Liberals are tough enough to take the arguments and differences of opinion. It's only thin-skinned conservatives who love to dish it out but can't take it.