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CNN Saturday Morning News

Anti-War Demonstrations in New York Expected to be Biggest in United States

Aired February 15, 2003 - 09:02   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.


HIEDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Anti-war demonstrators are calling for peace all over the world today. In the U.S., the biggest rally is expected to take place in New York near the U.N.
And that is where our Maria Hinojosa is this morning. Good morning to you, Maria. Last time we checked in, it was early, not too many people there. But has that changed?

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just a little. I mean, remember, the rally doesn't really start until 11:00 and 12:00, is when most of the congregation. So you're not seeing a lot of people now, but little by little, they are in the process of setting up the stage.

But I want to give our viewers a sense where we're located. So if you can see up there, that huge tower there is about just right in front of the United Nations, which is where the demonstrators really wanted to be, but that permit was denied. And so where we are now is in the middle of First Avenue, for those people who know New York City. They're blocking off First Avenue, and this -- down that way towards the north, the streets will be blocked off for about 20 blocks.

And this is where the organizers are hoping to fill all of these blocks. I just spoke to someone, and I said, So what are you thinking in terms of turnout? And he said, Well, you know, people are talking about 100,000 people, and he said, That's not what we've said. We know that we have a permit for 100,000 people, but that's not what we're saying are going to show up.

So I think it's still unclear what the numbers are. He did say, though, that there are going to be over 300 buses that are going to be bringing people in from Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, and other parts of the East Coast, so they're feeling confident.

A lot of people also hearing the reports about the demonstrations that are happening worldwide. They're feeling very excited about that, pumped up, feeling like internationally, there's a sense that this is the time to speak up.

An interesting coalition of groups that have become part of this organization for this rally. There are labor unions, there are grassroots community-based groups, there are student groups. And also, a couple of interesting groups, the September 11 Families for a Peaceful Tomorrows, these people who lost relatives on September 11 but who are against a war with Iraq. They're going to be some of the first speakers here when the rally starts at around 11:00.

As well as Military Families Speak Out. I met a family yesterday that has a son in the Marines in the Gulf, and they don't want this war. They're saying that there are a lot of military families who are very worried about their sons and daughters, who are proud to be serving in the armed forces but don't necessarily want to serve in this war. So they'll also be speaking here.

So there's going to be an interesting gathering, a lot of Hollywood stars, Danny Glover, who will be speaking to -- you'll be speaking to in a few minutes, Susan Sarandon, Harry Belafonte.

But also a lot of people who have never been involved in protests. I've met many of them who are saying this is the first time ever that they're going to take part in any peace protests at all, Heidi, Miles.

COLLINS: All right, Maria Hinojosa, we do appreciate your insight on that. We'll check back a little bit later on as things get closer to the rally.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




in United States>


Aired February 15, 2003 - 09:02   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HIEDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Anti-war demonstrators are calling for peace all over the world today. In the U.S., the biggest rally is expected to take place in New York near the U.N.
And that is where our Maria Hinojosa is this morning. Good morning to you, Maria. Last time we checked in, it was early, not too many people there. But has that changed?

MARIA HINOJOSA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Just a little. I mean, remember, the rally doesn't really start until 11:00 and 12:00, is when most of the congregation. So you're not seeing a lot of people now, but little by little, they are in the process of setting up the stage.

But I want to give our viewers a sense where we're located. So if you can see up there, that huge tower there is about just right in front of the United Nations, which is where the demonstrators really wanted to be, but that permit was denied. And so where we are now is in the middle of First Avenue, for those people who know New York City. They're blocking off First Avenue, and this -- down that way towards the north, the streets will be blocked off for about 20 blocks.

And this is where the organizers are hoping to fill all of these blocks. I just spoke to someone, and I said, So what are you thinking in terms of turnout? And he said, Well, you know, people are talking about 100,000 people, and he said, That's not what we've said. We know that we have a permit for 100,000 people, but that's not what we're saying are going to show up.

So I think it's still unclear what the numbers are. He did say, though, that there are going to be over 300 buses that are going to be bringing people in from Washington, D.C., Boston, Philadelphia, and other parts of the East Coast, so they're feeling confident.

A lot of people also hearing the reports about the demonstrations that are happening worldwide. They're feeling very excited about that, pumped up, feeling like internationally, there's a sense that this is the time to speak up.

An interesting coalition of groups that have become part of this organization for this rally. There are labor unions, there are grassroots community-based groups, there are student groups. And also, a couple of interesting groups, the September 11 Families for a Peaceful Tomorrows, these people who lost relatives on September 11 but who are against a war with Iraq. They're going to be some of the first speakers here when the rally starts at around 11:00.

As well as Military Families Speak Out. I met a family yesterday that has a son in the Marines in the Gulf, and they don't want this war. They're saying that there are a lot of military families who are very worried about their sons and daughters, who are proud to be serving in the armed forces but don't necessarily want to serve in this war. So they'll also be speaking here.

So there's going to be an interesting gathering, a lot of Hollywood stars, Danny Glover, who will be speaking to -- you'll be speaking to in a few minutes, Susan Sarandon, Harry Belafonte.

But also a lot of people who have never been involved in protests. I've met many of them who are saying this is the first time ever that they're going to take part in any peace protests at all, Heidi, Miles.

COLLINS: All right, Maria Hinojosa, we do appreciate your insight on that. We'll check back a little bit later on as things get closer to the rally.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com




in United States>