Washington Post

09/23/05

The seasoned protesters who organized tomorrow's antiwar demonstration are well-versed in many other causes. They have marched and rallied against police brutality, racism, colonialism and the policies of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. But their message on the Mall tomorrow will be singular: "End the war in Iraq." Because of that sharp focus, they will be joined by novice protesters such as Patrice Cuddy, 56. Interviewed by phone yesterday, the former public school teacher in Olathe, KS, said she had to pull off her gardening gloves each time a neighbor interrupted her yardwork to ask about joining the bus she had chartered to go to the nation's capital. ... Organizers say that similar busloads of teachers, nurses, housewives and others with little experience in mass protest are coming from Wisconsin, New Mexico, Illinois, Iowa, Georgia, Ohio and many other states. 'This demonstration will reflect, by far, the most diverse group of antiwar protesters since before the war began,' said Brian Becker, national coordinator for the ANSWER Coalition, one of the event's sponsors. 'We have people coming from all political persuasions, including a very large number of people who have never before been part of the antiwar movement or protest activity'...

http://tinyurl.com/9wxjq


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp