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CNN Live Saturday
Thousands of Anti-War Protesters Converge on Nation's Capital
Aired March 15, 2003 - 17:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Getting back to our coverage of "The Voices of America," those who are rallying against the war and for America. We told you about a pro-American rally earlier that was held here in Atlanta.
In the nation's capital, thousands of anti-war protesters are marching from the National Mall to surround the White House. CNN's Maria Hinojosa is talking with them and she joins us now from Washington -- Maria.
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Renay, when you speak to the protesters here, the first thing that they will tell you is that they too are pro-America, that they too are patriots and they too want to support the troops. They just say that they want to support the troops by bringing them home and keeping them safe.
Now, the rally here started around noon, where they heard a number of speakers that really went on on several different topics. This is the group that put this rally together is probably one of the more radical of the groups, so you heard a lot of different topics being raised.
But most of the people who came here said that their only focus was on the preventing a possible war with Iraq.
Now, the demonstrators have moved to march on the White House. They also moved to surround the Capitol. We have heard that five people were arrested for attempting to enter the World Bank. But other than that, it has been a very peaceful demonstration that really represents a very wide diversity of perspectives and voices.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This protest is very important because of the 17th deadline that they issued. And we are trying to hopefully push it back, like how we believe we did in January 18, with January 18 demonstration.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's totally ridiculous to spend this money to bomb the hell out of a country that we have really no proof of these, quote/unquote, weapons of mass destruction.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lots of people that will die as a result of this war. There will be continued pressure against the United States internationally after this war, which I'm hoping to help prevent.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HINOJOSA: Now, demonstrators here say that today's rally is really a kickoff for an intensified week of anti-war actions. Tomorrow night, there is a call for an international peace vigil with candles. They say that over 3,000 cities across the world have set up to participate in that.
On Monday, there will be what they're saying is a massive action of civil disobedience that they hope then kicks of a week of civil disobedience around the country. That will happen here first at the Capitol on Monday morning.
And then, on Saturday there will be another mass demonstration in New York City. And on Sunday, veterans who have already served in wars say that they will come out in an operation called "Operation Dire Distress," to show that they're against a possible war with Iraq -- Renay.
SAN MIGUEL: Maria, and also sounds like a busy schedule ahead for the organizers of the anti-war movement. Maria Hinojosa in Washington, D.C., thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Capital>
Aired March 15, 2003 - 17:15 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Getting back to our coverage of "The Voices of America," those who are rallying against the war and for America. We told you about a pro-American rally earlier that was held here in Atlanta.
In the nation's capital, thousands of anti-war protesters are marching from the National Mall to surround the White House. CNN's Maria Hinojosa is talking with them and she joins us now from Washington -- Maria.
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Renay, when you speak to the protesters here, the first thing that they will tell you is that they too are pro-America, that they too are patriots and they too want to support the troops. They just say that they want to support the troops by bringing them home and keeping them safe.
Now, the rally here started around noon, where they heard a number of speakers that really went on on several different topics. This is the group that put this rally together is probably one of the more radical of the groups, so you heard a lot of different topics being raised.
But most of the people who came here said that their only focus was on the preventing a possible war with Iraq.
Now, the demonstrators have moved to march on the White House. They also moved to surround the Capitol. We have heard that five people were arrested for attempting to enter the World Bank. But other than that, it has been a very peaceful demonstration that really represents a very wide diversity of perspectives and voices.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This protest is very important because of the 17th deadline that they issued. And we are trying to hopefully push it back, like how we believe we did in January 18, with January 18 demonstration.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I think it's totally ridiculous to spend this money to bomb the hell out of a country that we have really no proof of these, quote/unquote, weapons of mass destruction.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lots of people that will die as a result of this war. There will be continued pressure against the United States internationally after this war, which I'm hoping to help prevent.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HINOJOSA: Now, demonstrators here say that today's rally is really a kickoff for an intensified week of anti-war actions. Tomorrow night, there is a call for an international peace vigil with candles. They say that over 3,000 cities across the world have set up to participate in that.
On Monday, there will be what they're saying is a massive action of civil disobedience that they hope then kicks of a week of civil disobedience around the country. That will happen here first at the Capitol on Monday morning.
And then, on Saturday there will be another mass demonstration in New York City. And on Sunday, veterans who have already served in wars say that they will come out in an operation called "Operation Dire Distress," to show that they're against a possible war with Iraq -- Renay.
SAN MIGUEL: Maria, and also sounds like a busy schedule ahead for the organizers of the anti-war movement. Maria Hinojosa in Washington, D.C., thank you very much.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Capital>
