Three’s Company

The war’s third anniversary brings masses out to a Hollywood demonstration.
by Kara Ford-Martinez
On Saturday, March 18th, the Hollywood streets were jammed like usual. Except this Saturday, the streets were filled with people, shoulder to shoulder.

of the US invasion of Iraq, estimated that 20,000 people attended. Police estimates put the number at “several thousand.”

As the protesters prepared to march, a woman in a black wedding dress and veil walked before the others, her gloved hands holding a bouquet for the dead. Then, to shouts and drums, the marchers began walking. Somber pallbearers raised faux coffins draped in US flags to represent the 2,300 US soldiers killed in Iraq. Behind the red, white and blue came black coffins to represent more than 100,000 Iraqi men, women and children killed during the war.

“We’re very concerned that this is being done in our name, and we are here today to protest the killings and a war that is illegal and unjust,” said Julie Levine of Topanga Peace Alliance. “I feel that as long as people are being killed under the name of a country I live in and am a citizen of, I need to stand up.”

Suzy Curtis, an organizer for A.N.S.W.E.R., said that recent meetings had attracted more and more people, especially students. When asked whether they felt discouraged that the US had not withdrawn from Iraq, many marchers said they remain optimistic.

“I never feel hopeless because the war can’t last,” said Christine Pinto, a first-time marcher. “Bush’s ratings have been going down. It’s important to educate the public so that they know what’s actually going on. If I can do my little bit it makes a difference, at least to myself.”

“Eventually, I think the protests will become so severe that there will need to be a withdrawal of troops,” Levine said.

The crowd marched past Vinyl Fetish, the Velvet Margarita Cantina, hotels and motels, CNN headquarters, policemen on bicycles, the El Capitan theater, souvenir shops and hotdog stands. At the end of the march protesters mingled with tourists and a Cat Woman impersonator, to the sounds of drumbeats and cheering.

On a stage, surrounded by press and protesters alike, celebrities showed their support. Academy-Award winner Paul Haggis, Golden Globe Nominee Maria Bello and Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic were all present.

“If you think peace is not possible, that peace is a lost cause, I’m here to remind you that your voices are the only ones worth listening to and that lost causes are the only ones worth fighting for,” said actor Martin Sheen. “And I am here to remind you that the only way to peace is through nonviolent resistance. Let my country awake.” LAA