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Residents renew call for an end to the war |
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Tuesday, 25 March 2008 |
 Marking the fifth anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Paul Fretheim (r) stands alongside other Eastern Sierra residents during a peace vigil held Wednesday evening alongside Bishop’s Main Street. In all, more than 25 people were on hand calling for an end to war in Iraq. Photo by Ken Koerner By Ken Koerner
Register Staff 3-22-2008
Standing in solidarity in their wish to see an end to the war in Iraq, a group of Inyo citizens gathered in Bishop on the invasion’s fifth anniversary.
More than two dozen Eastern Sierra residents turned out on March 19 for a candlelight vigil held on the corner of Main and Academy streets in downtown Bishop.
Some participants brought home-made signs to express their very personal views concerning the war, including one sharing a bilingual message of peace.
“I was at a peace gathering on Sunday and noticed a Hispanic family passing by looking at my sign with a somewhat puzzled expression,” Independence resident Paul Fretheim said, “so I decided that for tonight’s gathering I would ensure there was a sign in Spanish so they would feel included in the call to end this tragic war.” Fretheim’s sign simply stated, “No a la guerra” – or, “No to the war.”
Some motorists passing by the group honked their car horns and called out messages of support for ending the Iraq war, now beginning a sixth year of combat operations with no apparent end absolutely in sight.
“I want the troops home now and an end to the destruction taking place in Iraq,” event organizer Kay Hunter said, “the number of people that have been killed and maimed – both American and Iraqi – is an unconscionable result of a military action that really should have never taken place. And when you add in the extraordinary financial costs, it becomes clearer still that this madness must be brought to an end.”
Another attendee brought along his own hand-lettered sign, containing his thoughts in a single word: “Quagmire.”
“I’m here tonight because democracy is all about participation – and I wanted to stand up and be heard,” Bishop resident Gary Lake said, as he displayed his one-word message to passers-by, “I wanted to voice my protest against this ill-conceived, utterly mismanaged, pre-emptive war. I know people have busy lives, but Americans have got to take the time to be involved and let their feelings be heard by our government.”
Whether or not anyone’s government may have been listening on a pleasant Wednesday evening in Bishop, 25-plus citizens raised their collective voice in a call for peace.
There were no signs of any counter-demonstration in the area, nor were there any disturbances to mar the peaceful event.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 21 April 2008 )
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