email this story | download as PDF | print article Photos . Veterans Against War on Iraq March on White House WDC . 16oct2 by EXB Protest Photography 10:16pm Wed Oct 16 '02 (Modified on 10:05am Fri Oct 25 '02) elvertbarnes@yahoo.com This afternoon the Veteran Coalition of 15 protesters marched in front of White House with the demand that President George Bush must work through the UN in unity with France, Germany and other alies incuding Arab nations. Details are below and pictures are attached. (article 1) Earlier this afternoon a small group of fifteen (15) demonstrators calling themselves "The Veterans Coaliton for Sanity of Iraq" picketed in front of the White House. At 1pm approximately twelve (12) gathered behind the White House on the Ellipse in the rain armed with umbrellas and wearing their available uniforms and medals. Shortly thereafter and with the arrival of another member who brought protest signs and a bullhorn which one of the women asked "Will we be using the bullhorn?" (I knew then that I was at a different kind of anti-war rally) the Veterans March Against Bush's Rush to Iraq War, led by WWII veteran Yehchi Kuwayama, was underway. As they proceeded east along NY Avenue toward 17th Street the march organizer and contact person, Lawrence Lader, adorned in his military uniform asked "What should we shout?" (Anoter indication that this was a difference kind of anti-war protest than the Black Voices For Peace White House Protest that I documented this past Saturday). Someone shouted back "No War!". At 17th Street they turned north and marched pass the Old Executive Office Building and then turned right onto Pennsylvania Avenue en route to the White House with the demand that President George Bush can not "go it alone" against Iraq but must work only through the United Nations in unity with France, Germany and other allies including Arab nations. With the exception of former Marine Kevin McCarron and a few others the participants were WWII veterans including retired DC Superior Court Judge Orm W. Ketcham who was Lieut. Commander, US Navy, of the US Cleveland Cruiser. This older but more mature group marched to a different beat than the demonstrations that I have witnessed over the past few years in WDC. When the police arrived and reminded the demonstrators that they must not stand still as they must keep moving there were no shouts at nor 'name-calling' of the police. And, in fact, one of the protesters joked with the officer that "We'll too old to keep movin'. Can't we just stand still?". The officer responded jokingly but seriously "... then walk in a circle but just keep movin'!". And as I departed from the White House running to get my photos processed the group of fifteen (15) was laughing and joking with the two policemen ... yet marching in a circle as they kept moving in the rain ... armed with umbrellas and protest signs wearing their available uniforms and medals. This was a different kind of anti-war march, at least, for me. Though their stump was more of a step and their shouts were not as loud their enthusiasm, purpose and wisdom are unmatched as the message was the same. If any group can change President Bush's mind it would be this group. Or one just like it. Contact person for the Veterans Coalition is Lawerence Lader at 51 Fifth Avenue, #10A, New York NY 10003. Voice 212 255 0682 . Fax 212 620 6166 add your own comments Linked articles: Photos . Veterans Against War on Iraq March on White House WDC . 16oct2 (picture and story) Photos . Veterans Against War on Iraq March on White House WDC . 16oct2 (picture and story) Photos . Veterans Against War on Iraq March on White House WDC . 16oct2 (picture and story) Photos . Veterans Against War on Iraq March on White House WDC . 16oct2 (picture and story) Photos . Veterans Against War on Iraq March on White House WDC . 16oct2 (picture and story) Photos . Veterans Against War on Iraq March on White House WDC . 16oct2 (picture and story) Photos . Veterans Against War on Iraq March on White House WDC . 16oct2 (picture and story) Photos . Veterans Against War on Iraq March on White House WDC . 16oct2 (picture and story) Photos . Veterans Against War on Iraq March on White House WDC . 16oct2 (picture and story)

Spelling Correction by elvert 10:41am Thu Oct 17 '02 At the end on paragraph #1 I misspelled Mr. Kuwayama's first name as Yehchi. The correct spelling is Yeiichi. My apologies.

The police were incorrect by Copwatch 4:26pm Sat Oct 19 '02 Courtesy and respect with police is good, it gives you better moral standing. Do not give up for your rights by not trying to start conflict. Indeed you are not allowed to stand stationary between the two light posts in the very front of the White House. Anywhere else you could stand stationary all day if you want to and your a group under 25 that is not impeeding passage on the sidewalk. If you have more than 25 you can be in the street but must keep moving, even if you decide to do it in front of the White House. The police frequently lie about this as in the Black Voices for Peace protest. Others just do not know the rules. You also can use a bullhorn if you stand in the street.

Important News by Jonathan Strong 1:36pm Tue Oct 22 '02 jonathan@right-magazine.com Wow, this is really significant. We now know that 15 people are against a war in Iraq. Do you realize the implications? We now know that .0000004% of Americans are against the war in Iraq. Thank goodness we have non-corporate news outlets to deliver us this important information.

hundreds of thousands, millions by mark 10:05am Fri Oct 25 '02 actually, this one story is about 15 people. 15 people of the hundreds of thousands congress counted calling them and telling them to say no to war. and the millions of the over 50% of american public that are against /unilateral/ war. this happens to be a story about the 15 people, because of wahtever circumstances, who could make it to the white house and who have a special experience - having fought in war, survived, won even in many cases, been honored by the state that drove them into war - and still come out with the conclusion that war won't help a damn thing. THAT's what this story is about. anyone with a shred of intellectual honesty who can read this can see that.