Mad Cowboy disease.
I saw some of those today. Several Impeach Bush too. Most just said NO WAR, or Don't be stupid about war. It was a very envigorating march and rally.
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Thousands in Austin rally against war
Rally is one of the largest political demonstrations in Austin history
By Dick Stanley and Monica Polanco
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Saturday, February 15, 2003
Thousands of people gathered Saturday on the south lawn of the Texas Capitol for a 90-minute rally in one of the largest political demonstrations in Austin history.
Then they capped the afternoon protest against a possible U.S. attack to disarm Iraqi President Saddam Hussein by marching south down Congress Avenue, under American and Texas flags emblazoned with peace symbols, until they stretched more than 13 blocks from 11th Street to Barton Springs Road.
Organizers claimed a turnout of more than 10,000 people despite a chilly wind that was brisk at times. Capitol police declined to estimate or characterize the crowd, which included both young people and the middle-aged. But Austin police estimated their number between 8,000 and 10,000 and said they seemed to be a cross-section of area residents. There were no disturbances or arrests.
"It was an incredible turnout," said University of Texas journalism professor Robert Jensen, the rally's emcee and one of the organizers of the event which was timed to match similar ones by millions of people in scores of cities around the world. "It was a multifaceted group."
Principal among a long list of rally speakers was U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, who drew cheers when he criticized President Bush.
"Mr. President, the policies you are pursuing in the name of our security are wrongheaded," Doggett said.
He said there was "no evidence" that Iraq would use weapons of mass destruction to attack the United States, and that the Bush administration's policy of first strikes against rogue states in the war on terrorism "is a formula for international anarchy."
There were similar but smaller rallies in Houston and Dallas. An estimated 3,000 turned out in Houston and between 2,000 and 5,000 in Dallas.
Some of Saturday's protestors in Austin said they were against a war with Iraq because civilians as well as soldiers could be killed. They said they didn't think there was enough evidence of Iraqi wrongdoing. But many either said or carried signs showing that they simply didn't trust the Bush administration.
"It's a war to avenge Daddy," said Amy Lambert, 36, of Austin, referring to President Bush's father, the former president, who led the nation into the Persian Gulf War in 1991 to punish Iraq for seizing Kuwait. Iraq was later linked to a plot to kill the senior Bush during a visit to Kuwait.
Many people brought their children, some only a few months old pushed in strollers.
"I want him to learn very young that he needs to participate in public policy," said Laura Colwell of her 4-year-old son, Julian.
The rally crowd was so large and noisy that, from within its ranks, it was often impossible to hear the speakers.
There were many homemade signs, as well as professionally printed ones. The latter included the red and white "American for Peace" signs which have sprouted in some Austin neighborhoods. Among the homemade signs were: "Draft SUV drivers to fight," "Disarm the Bush regime," "Relax George," and "Viva La France," a reference to French opposition to American aims in the U.N. Security Council.
Many who turned out for earlier, smaller Austin anti-war rallies were there, such as members of the Green Party, and www.international- socialist.org who handed out copies of the tabloid "Socialist Worker." A group of young men with nose rings carried black flags of anarchy and a red and black banner for the Industrial Workers of the World. Black Muslims handed out fliers touting an upcoming anti-war speech by Minister Lewis Farrakan.
Some signs turned the S in Bush's name to a Nazi swastika. There were a few Palestinian kafeyah, or scarves, but the Iraqi and Palestinian flags evident at a rally in October were missing.
When Saturday's rally ended and the march down Congress Avenue got underway, the crowd stretched for many blocks. Some banged on drums, rattled gourds and danced their way south to Barton Springs Road, which was blocked by police. The Congresss Avenue bridge vibrated under the pressure of the dancing feet.
Deb Eckols, of Austin, said she was encouraged by the large turnout.
"This is awesome," she said. "It looks like the 60's when we protested against Vietnam." Some of the marchers took over the Congress Avenue Bridge for about 30 minutes, until they were dispersed by police on motorcycles.
"At the bridge most disbanded," said police spokesman Kevin Buchman. "A few hundred marched back to the Capitol. We were prepared for trouble, but it was a very peaceful event."
Small groups of counter protestors gathered on the periphery of the larger crowd.
"3,000 Lives Forgotten?," a reference to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, was a homemade sign held by a man in a Longhorns shirt and cap. Another man carrying a "Liberate Iraq" sign was engaged in argument by several demonstrators. The man, who declined to give his name, said he was there to "support the president."
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