No War Westchester

Participants rally and march down Mamaroneck Avenue in White Plains March 20, 2010 on the 7th anniversary of the war with Iraq. Approximately 100 people gathered for the event, calling for the Obama administration to bring home troops and end of the war. (Matthew Brown/ The Journal News)   See Journal News Photo Gallery

White Plains anti-war rally marks 7th Iraq invasion anniversary

By Richard Liebson • rliebson@lohud.com • March 21, 2010
Journal News – www.lohud.com

WHITE PLAINS — Chanting anti-war slogans and carrying signs and two flag-draped cardboard “coffins,” about 100 people rallied Saturday at Renaissance Plaza to mark the seventh anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq and to call for an end to the conflict there and in Afghanistan.

 “We want President Obama to stick to his timetable and to get the troops out by the end of the year,” said Chuck Bell of No War Westchester, one of several groups to organize and take part in the peaceful demonstration.

Members of No War Westchester have held anti-war vigils at Mamaroneck Avenue and Main Street every Saturday since the Iraq invasion.

War costs billions

In leaflets being distributed to the crowd, protesters claimed that $4.3 billion has been spent on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars by taxpayers in 18th Congressional District, represented by Rep. Nita Lowey. In the 17th District, represented by Rep. Eliot Engel, the cost has been $2.8 billon, the fliers claimed, while taxpayers in Rep. John Hall’s 19th District have borne $4 billion in war costs.

“We want the public to be aware of the high cost of these wars,” Bell said. “This is money that could have been used for affordable housing, for education, for health care.”

Many in the crowd carried signs. Some listed the number of military and civilian deaths in Iraq. One bore the phrase: “Support Our Troops by Bringing Them Home Now.”

Along with speeches and chants, demonstrators were entertained by a group of elderly woman who sang self-penned anti-war songs under the name “Gaggle of Grannies.”

Nearby, 18-year-old Julie Dawson of Yonkers sipped lemonade as she watched the rally.

“I don’t really know why we’re still there, or why we went in the first place, but I support our troops,” she said. “One of my teachers in middle school was in the reserves, and he had to go to Iraq in the beginning of the war, but he came back OK. It’s really sad that it’s still going on and that we never caught Osama bin Laden.”

The Rev. Joe Agne of Memorial United Methodist Church in White Plains said he attended the demonstration “because I believe in peace. It’s time to stop these wars. I believe that Jesus is the prince of peace, and I’m committed to living that way.”

Emily Perry of Ossining was their with her dog, “Memphis,” who wore a “Pooches for Peace” sign.

“We’re both here to speak out against the war,” Perry said. “We want our troops home and we want our money spent at home.”

Free speech a right

Also looking on was Buel McQuay of White Plains, who retired from the Marine Corps in 1989 after a 20-year career.

He chuckled when asked what he thought of the demonstration, and tugged at the bill of his cap, which bore the “Semper Fi” motto of the Marines.

“We got into the military to protect their right to do this,” he said. “It’s freedom of speech. I find it interesting that they’re talking mostly about how much money it costs.”

The rally ended with a march up Mamaroneck Avenue, past the U.S. Marine Corps and Army Recruiting Center to Lowey’s district office.

Related: More photos 

Come Home America March & Rally, 3/20/10, White Plains, NY

 View Andrew Courtney’s photos of the March & Rally

Upcoming Events:Sunday, April 11 – 2-5 PM, Purchase, NY.  Cocktail party/benefit for Peace Action Fund of New York State, featuring guest speaker Kristina vanden Heuvel, editor and publisher of The Nation, who will discuss “Obama at Year One.”  Let us know if you would like us to mail you an invitation, or if you know of others who may be interested in attending. 

Sunday, April 11 – 2:30 PM.  For Peace and Human Needs – Disarm Now.  “N.P.T. ABC’s” – Dave Robinson, Executive Director, Pax Christi USA.  “Seizing this Moment” – Judith LeBlanc – Field Organizer – United for Peace and Justice.  Maryknoll Society Center,   55 Ryder Rd., Ossining, N.Y.  Sponsored by: Maryknoll Global Concerns-Pax Christi International-the Maryknoll Affiliates.   For information 845- 357-8919,  for directions 914-941-7636 ext. 2294

Thursday, April 15, 10-2 PM: Tax Day Action at  at the White Plains Post Office,  170 Martine Ave., White Plains to let last minute tax filers know where their tax money is going.

Wednesday, April 21, 12:00 Noon.  Brown Bag Vigil to Stop the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Office of Rep. Nita Lowey, 222 Mamaroneck Ave. #310, White Plains, NY  10605.  More info: www.pdAmerica.org

Thursday, April 29, 6 PM, the Women’s Club, White Plains, NY - WESPAC Foundation 28th Annual Awards Dinner.  More information and registration on http://www.wespac.org/site.