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CNN Live Saturday
Thousands of Demonstrators Take to Streets
Aired March 15, 2003 - 18:03 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: Despite an uncertain timeline to a possible war in Iraq, the national outcry against it is reaching ear- piercing levels. Today in San Francisco, thousands of demonstrators showed their distaste for any military action in Iraq.
Anti-war activists are calling this day a national day of protest. Similar protests are taking place, or are expected to, in cities across the U.S. and in the nation's capital, so often the place for voicing dissent. A massive protest there. CNN's Maria Hinojosa is listening to the people and joins us now with more -- Maria.
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Renay.
We're just steps from the Washington Monument, where just several hours ago there were tens of thousands of people here who gathered to hear any number of speakers. Most of them focusing on trying to stop a possible war with Iraq.
The people here understood there were other demonstrations happening around the country that were in support of the U.S. military. These people here say too are patriotic. They too are pro- American. They too support the troops. They just want to do that by bringing them home.
Here's a little bit more information.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HINOJOSA (voice over): Another weekend, another round of anti- war protests. On Saturday the descended on the Washington Monument. They were also on the streets in Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, Lord, make us instruments our your peace.
HINOJOSA: A thorn in President Bush's side, how broad the anti- war movement is becoming, from the far, far left to young members of his own party. Like future law school student Robert McCurvick (ph), who took a bus from Ohio just to be here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel like a sore thumb at times, but then I get some people who come up to me and go, You know? I'm actually a Republican, too. But I just don't go out and show people that.
So, I think there are a lot of closet Republicans out here along with me. HINOJOSA: But others who came to voice anti-war opinions were put off by the long list of causes this group put forward. Marlene Lead (ph), also a Republican, says this anti-war movement needs to stay focused.
Bring our troops home. Help everyone, bring those young people home to their families, they're wives, they're children. That's what we about here, not all these other issues. If they want to take the other issues on -- at another time, another place.
HINOJOSA: Young people, though, like 15-year-old Taylor Branson (ph) are focusing on one thing, learning quickly how to become effective activists.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Once they saw that these students really do what they're talking about. And they're taking their future into their hands, and that's what we see right now.
HINOJOSA: The demonstrators then marched to an emergency convergence on the White House and then attempted to surround the Capitol.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HINOJOSA: Now, we have heard that there have been six arrests. Overwhelming as this was, a peaceful demonstration, but when they marched to the Capitol and to the White House a group broke off and tried to get into the World Bank. We heard about some broken windows. We also heard about a police officer that was assaulted. So, we have now six arrests, One of those also a minor.
But the protest movement activists say that this protest is just the beginning of week on intensified anti-war actions. Tomorrow night, 3,000 cities around the world will be taking part in 200 countries with a candlelight vigil. On Monday civil disobedience at the Capitol. They say that will hope to inspire a week of civil disobedience around the country and in the nation's capital.
And on Saturday another mass protest in New York City and Sunday a group of military veterans plans to be here in Washington with what they call Operation Dire Distress. Military veterans say they are against a possible war with Iraq as well -- Renay.
SAN MIGUEL: Maria, let's say that the war starts sometime in the next few days, have the organizers told you how the anti-war movement may go up to another level it that happens?
HINOJOSA: Absolutely. Even though you talk to many people and they say they believe that they can try to stop or at least put dampers on this war moving forward quickly, they do have plans for what to do if war breaks out even as soon as next week. There are different calls for different actions depending on the city that you're in.
In New York, for example, they are saying that at 5 p.m. the day of the bombing for people to meet in Times Square. Massive mobilizations here in Washington to come out to the street to stop business as usual. So, every city has a anti -- has a plan in action if war does break out. So they, too, are prepared -- Renay.
SAN MIGUEL: It sounds like. Maria Hinojosa in D.C., thank you very much Maria.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, anti-war protest is sweeping across Europe as well. Thousands of people marched in cities across England today. Some joined a rally organized by a radical Muslim group in London. They want to pressure embassies in Muslim countries to do something to avert a possible war in Iraq.
In Baghdad, the anti-war sentiment is, naturally, very strong there. Hundreds of thousands of Iraq filled the streets of Baghdad to oppose a battle in their country.
And in Japan, 10,000 protesters both young and old clogged the streets of central Tokyo. The demonstrators come from all walks of life, from laborers to housewives, all chanting the same message. They don't want bombs dropped in Baghdad.
Other Americans want U.S. troops to know they are being remember and supported here at home. CNN's David Mattingly is at an event organizers are calling The Rally For America, in Atlanta, Georgia.
David, they are making it very clear they don't want it to be called a pro-war rally?
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fredricka, The Rally For America, here in Atlanta, hitting all the emotional buttons and high praise of the United States and of U.S. troops.
Thousands of people were earlier today creating a sea of red, white and blue.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY (voice over): The singing of "God Bless America", the end of a spirited and patriotic rally supporting American troops.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Best day of my life today.
MATTINGLY (on camera): Why?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel like a better American today for supporting my troops out there. They need us. And I'm glad to be an American.
MATTINGLY (voice over): The feel good event was part of a recent series of rallies promoted by talk radio stations in cities across the country. This one in Atlanta with a larger than predicted crowd.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I hope this goes to our troops. I hope that they feel that they're not isolated out there alone. That there may be people speaking against the war effort, which is fine, they have the right to do that. But that there also there are people that support them and support our president.
MATTINGLY: Many in attendance also expressing criticism of anti- war activists, feeling their own pro-U.S. opinions have been ignored by the national media.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How sweet is this? How sweet is this, I can hear you reverberating off the buildings. We're sounding ourselves everywhere! Let them try to ignore us now!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY: And as promised the event was not a pro-war rally. Everyone here, however, making it clear that they are behind U.S. troops if military action is called for -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, David. 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
Aired March 15, 2003 - 18:03 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
RENAY SAN MIGUEL, CNN ANCHOR: Despite an uncertain timeline to a possible war in Iraq, the national outcry against it is reaching ear- piercing levels. Today in San Francisco, thousands of demonstrators showed their distaste for any military action in Iraq.
Anti-war activists are calling this day a national day of protest. Similar protests are taking place, or are expected to, in cities across the U.S. and in the nation's capital, so often the place for voicing dissent. A massive protest there. CNN's Maria Hinojosa is listening to the people and joins us now with more -- Maria.
MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Renay.
We're just steps from the Washington Monument, where just several hours ago there were tens of thousands of people here who gathered to hear any number of speakers. Most of them focusing on trying to stop a possible war with Iraq.
The people here understood there were other demonstrations happening around the country that were in support of the U.S. military. These people here say too are patriotic. They too are pro- American. They too support the troops. They just want to do that by bringing them home.
Here's a little bit more information.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
HINOJOSA (voice over): Another weekend, another round of anti- war protests. On Saturday the descended on the Washington Monument. They were also on the streets in Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So, Lord, make us instruments our your peace.
HINOJOSA: A thorn in President Bush's side, how broad the anti- war movement is becoming, from the far, far left to young members of his own party. Like future law school student Robert McCurvick (ph), who took a bus from Ohio just to be here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I feel like a sore thumb at times, but then I get some people who come up to me and go, You know? I'm actually a Republican, too. But I just don't go out and show people that.
So, I think there are a lot of closet Republicans out here along with me. HINOJOSA: But others who came to voice anti-war opinions were put off by the long list of causes this group put forward. Marlene Lead (ph), also a Republican, says this anti-war movement needs to stay focused.
Bring our troops home. Help everyone, bring those young people home to their families, they're wives, they're children. That's what we about here, not all these other issues. If they want to take the other issues on -- at another time, another place.
HINOJOSA: Young people, though, like 15-year-old Taylor Branson (ph) are focusing on one thing, learning quickly how to become effective activists.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Once they saw that these students really do what they're talking about. And they're taking their future into their hands, and that's what we see right now.
HINOJOSA: The demonstrators then marched to an emergency convergence on the White House and then attempted to surround the Capitol.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
HINOJOSA: Now, we have heard that there have been six arrests. Overwhelming as this was, a peaceful demonstration, but when they marched to the Capitol and to the White House a group broke off and tried to get into the World Bank. We heard about some broken windows. We also heard about a police officer that was assaulted. So, we have now six arrests, One of those also a minor.
But the protest movement activists say that this protest is just the beginning of week on intensified anti-war actions. Tomorrow night, 3,000 cities around the world will be taking part in 200 countries with a candlelight vigil. On Monday civil disobedience at the Capitol. They say that will hope to inspire a week of civil disobedience around the country and in the nation's capital.
And on Saturday another mass protest in New York City and Sunday a group of military veterans plans to be here in Washington with what they call Operation Dire Distress. Military veterans say they are against a possible war with Iraq as well -- Renay.
SAN MIGUEL: Maria, let's say that the war starts sometime in the next few days, have the organizers told you how the anti-war movement may go up to another level it that happens?
HINOJOSA: Absolutely. Even though you talk to many people and they say they believe that they can try to stop or at least put dampers on this war moving forward quickly, they do have plans for what to do if war breaks out even as soon as next week. There are different calls for different actions depending on the city that you're in.
In New York, for example, they are saying that at 5 p.m. the day of the bombing for people to meet in Times Square. Massive mobilizations here in Washington to come out to the street to stop business as usual. So, every city has a anti -- has a plan in action if war does break out. So they, too, are prepared -- Renay.
SAN MIGUEL: It sounds like. Maria Hinojosa in D.C., thank you very much Maria.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Well, anti-war protest is sweeping across Europe as well. Thousands of people marched in cities across England today. Some joined a rally organized by a radical Muslim group in London. They want to pressure embassies in Muslim countries to do something to avert a possible war in Iraq.
In Baghdad, the anti-war sentiment is, naturally, very strong there. Hundreds of thousands of Iraq filled the streets of Baghdad to oppose a battle in their country.
And in Japan, 10,000 protesters both young and old clogged the streets of central Tokyo. The demonstrators come from all walks of life, from laborers to housewives, all chanting the same message. They don't want bombs dropped in Baghdad.
Other Americans want U.S. troops to know they are being remember and supported here at home. CNN's David Mattingly is at an event organizers are calling The Rally For America, in Atlanta, Georgia.
David, they are making it very clear they don't want it to be called a pro-war rally?
DAVID MATTINGLY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fredricka, The Rally For America, here in Atlanta, hitting all the emotional buttons and high praise of the United States and of U.S. troops.
Thousands of people were earlier today creating a sea of red, white and blue.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY (voice over): The singing of "God Bless America", the end of a spirited and patriotic rally supporting American troops.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Best day of my life today.
MATTINGLY (on camera): Why?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I feel like a better American today for supporting my troops out there. They need us. And I'm glad to be an American.
MATTINGLY (voice over): The feel good event was part of a recent series of rallies promoted by talk radio stations in cities across the country. This one in Atlanta with a larger than predicted crowd.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I hope this goes to our troops. I hope that they feel that they're not isolated out there alone. That there may be people speaking against the war effort, which is fine, they have the right to do that. But that there also there are people that support them and support our president.
MATTINGLY: Many in attendance also expressing criticism of anti- war activists, feeling their own pro-U.S. opinions have been ignored by the national media.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: How sweet is this? How sweet is this, I can hear you reverberating off the buildings. We're sounding ourselves everywhere! Let them try to ignore us now!
(END VIDEOTAPE)
MATTINGLY: And as promised the event was not a pro-war rally. Everyone here, however, making it clear that they are behind U.S. troops if military action is called for -- Fredricka.
WHITFIELD: All right, David. 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
