Anti-War movement persists on streets of Newark
By Max Pizarro, PolitickerNJ.com ReporterLarry Hamm isn’t depressed.
He looked out from atop a stage in Newark’s Lincoln Park Saturday and saw hundreds of people representing groups from around the state joined in protest of the Iraq War.
Hamm, who leads the People’s Organization for Progress in Newark, has been on this march against the war from the beginning, and has withstood the criticism that without a draft and in an era of ringtones and ipods there is no traction for an effective anti-war movement.
He just keeps marching.
"Saturday was one of biggest marches held in Newark for a long time," said Hamm. "I thought it sent two strong messages. The first is it said to the Bush administration that we want a change in spending priorities in this country, from the war in Iraq to the needs of people here at home. And we want the war to end. We want the troops to come home."
The event’s keynoter was U.S. Rep. John Conyers, D-MI, who caught a wave of boos for being in a Democratic Majority that hasn’t managed to yank the plug on war funding. There were also some infuriated chants in the crowd for Bush’s impeachment, which Conyers and the Democratic Congressional leadership have likewise been unable to deliver.
"We all know Conyers wanted impeachment, but part of the issue is when Nancy Pelosi became Speaker of the House she said impeachment was off the table," said Hamm. "She said that before Conyers was actually appointed chair of the House Judiciary Committee."
What he’s left with, Hamm added, is changing the spending priorities so the war ends.
Facing the ragtag corps of Revolutionary War troopers hoisting American flags with corporate emblems emblazoned on them instead of stars, young men with little black panther buttons on their berets, Nation of Islam suits, bedraggled old hippies, suburban beatniks, urban parents whose children have been murdered and peace activists folding cranes for peace and selling Che Guevara and Ralph Nader literature, Conyers told the crowd he’d try to end the war.
"I share your passion and I’m in a position to do something about it, and I will," said Conyers.
He got some back up from labor in the person of Ray Stever, president of the New Jersey State Industrial Union Council, who reminded the crowd that John L. Lewis founded the joint labor organization in Atlantic City 70 years ago.
"Today we’re dying for the oil and for profiteering - so Bush can make a few bucks on the backs of the Iraqi people and the American people," Stever said.
And it’s not just the war, he added. It’s corporate power having its way worldwide. Citing the Mattel toy fiasco, the labor leader derided NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) and other trade agreements that have enabled American corporations to take advantage of cheap labor and diminished standards overseas.
"They went to China to make toys, to get around the regulations," Stever said of Mattel, which earlier this month ordered the recall of thousands of toy products made in China with toxic lead paint.
A giant blind-folded paper mache head rose above the crowd, flanked by two hands holding up the insignias of oil companies on one side and major media outlets on the other, a street puppet dubbed "Blind Patriotism" by its handlers, Faras Bilto and Melissa Dabrowski of the Lincroft chapter of the New Jersey Peace and Justice Coalition.
These two have say they’ve been in the thick of the protests from the beginning, holding vigil locally at Fort Monmouth but also trekking down to D.C. to join the larger movement of protesters.
"It doesn’t make any difference with this administration," said Bilto of his ongoing protest efforts. "They have a set agenda and nothing’s going to change that."
But he keeps going. Maybe the streets aren’t filled with people, but motorists’ response to the presence of the Monmouth County protesters has changed, Bilto said.
"In the beginning, back in 2002, it was about 50-50, with people either honking their horns in support or driving by in silence," he said. "Now 90 to 95% of the people passing by give us positive feedback. It’s encouraging."
And the war goes on.
"In the two minutes it takes me to deliver these remarks, we will have spent $390,000 on the war in Iraq," said Madelyn Hoffman of New Jersey Peace Action.
Hundreds of people can fill Lincoln Park on a Saturday, but the passion doesn’t ignite, in poet Amiri Baraka’s view, because Americans continue to insist on embracing a lifestyle of conspicuous consumption.
"The paradigm of the problem is the anti-war people are not anti-imperialist," Baraka told the crowd.
Contributors
Wally Edge
New Jersey Network reporter Zachary Fink was named on Friday as the new statehouse correspondent for NJN News. Fink replaces Jim Hooker, who ... >
Bob Torricelli
There's nothing more difficult to see than the history before your eyes. It sometimes takes generations to understand the significance of ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
OK, he didn't say precisely that, but when the Chairman of the Budget Committee informs us that governmental spending is the key to prosperity, ... >
Debbie Holtz
Score one for the Governor’s public relations team. For the last few weeks, they have been working overtime to fuel speculation Corzine was being ... >
Steve Lonegan
The sub prime mortgage melt down and its ensuing financial “crisis” has tested the mettle of all of us who believe in and support the free ... >
Dr. Joseph Marbach
I am pleased to report the results from the first national poll conducted by Environmental Studies Program in the College of Arts and Sciences at ... >
Rob Tornoe
To view a larger version of this cartoon, click here. >
Michael P. Riccards
The media, which loves headlines and knows little history, is trying to sell President Elect Obama as another Franklin Delano Roosevelt. But that ... >
Joey Novick
Whenever I get the chance to visit my parents in Florida when working a comedy gig down there, it’s like living in a “Seinfeld” episode. They ... >
Juan Melli
In an election year driven by a hemorrhaging economy and an electorate hungry for an end to divisive politics, 7th Congressional District candidate ... >
Carla Katz
A couple of weeks ago, my mother, Angelina Katz, did her second debate on behalf of Barack Obama. A debate? My mother? If you knew her, you’d be ... >
Patricia Quattrocchi
Former State Senator Wayne Bryant got a smack on the back of the head from a jury of his peers today when they found him guilty of all eleven charges ... >
Hot Topics
| Politicker INTERACTIVE | |
 |
Lawmaker Profile Follow the funding of your representatives |
 |
270 to Win See how Obama got to the magic number |
Most Active Stories
- Bryant guilty on all counts
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
- Merkt calls for Wilson's resignation
- If it's Corzine v. Christie, both sides get ready for the worst
- After running as a local Obama, Hawkins runs early into the hard edge of Orange
- Quinnipiac: Corzine 42%, Christie 36%
- Karrow announces state senate bid
- Mallet defeats Curley, Monmouth Freeholder Board becomes Democratic-controlled
- Dredden would serve as RSC chairman if asked
- Potential Rumana challenger says Assembly might not be his vehicle for change
- Correction: Weiner departure was not his own idea
- Torricelli on COAH
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
- Sixteen Democrats are on Norcross' short list for Andrews House seat
- Roughneen in court today on signature challenge
- Jackson will be Corzine's new Chief of Staff
- New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
- Jersey City councilman makes it rain in Washington
- Obama bundler says he lost $25 billion of N.J. pension funds
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
“For a guy who’s got nothing but adoring press for seven years, and is unknown to 70 percent of the public, it’s not easy to win if you’re a single-issue candidate. Our feeling is, bring him on.” -- Democratic State Chairman Joseph Cryan, on Republican Chris Christie, who is resigning as U.S. Attorney to run for Governor.
Recent Press Releases
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Christie Gives Notice, and G.O.P. Gains Hope ― DAVID KOCIENIEWSKI
Christie's legcy― THE BERGEN RECORD
Corzine for Treasury? Don't Bet on It.― WASHINGTON POST
Immigrants still in New Jersey― THE BERGEN RECORD
Now it's the Dems' chance to be dumb― PAUL MULSHINE
Corzine likely to go nowhere― THE DAILY RECORD
SILENT ON CHARGE; LIPSKI TELLS OF ALCOHOL BATTLE― STEVEN LIPSKI
Syndicate
They will never stop trying to destroy the United States
"The only way to defeat us is from within. There is no doubt in my mind that the entire antiwar effort worldwide, and in particular the United States, was communist-inspired, communist-dominated, and communist led. Now, that doesn't mean everybody who raised their voice against the war is communist. A lot of these people are well-intentioned, well-educated. But for some reason they don't understand what's going on, don't understand how the communists fight a war today. It's a whole new ball game, not like World War II. It's not two armies slugging it out. It's a war fought on the ideological plane. It's a war of propaganda. And if we look back over the period of the sixties, its shocking to me -it's truly shocking- to see how close we came of defeating us from within. Our captors told us of racial unrest, unemployment, inflation, riots, demonstrations, antiwar activists. They knew about that. They could quote speeches by Senator Morris, Senator Mansfield, Bella Abzug, and Ted Kennedy. But they knew nothing else about America." The above statement was made by Colonel Floyd James Thompson born in Bergenfield, New Jersey. Longest held Prisoner of Vietnam War. He was held captive 26 Mar 1964-16 Mar 1973
check those numbers
Only hundreds of protesters? You would think so many countless more would be there in solidarity.
Call it what you like, a new wind is blowing
It is clear that the case for this war was build on a foundation of ½ truths, inaccuracies and exaggerations. Millions spoke against this war before it started and millions more a speaking today. The rally in Newark is not - as NJ Political Victim claims - an attempt to destroy the country from within, but it is a movement to change the priorities of the United States. Fundamentally this movement is about building stronger communities, not destroying the country. NJ Political Victim claims it is the Communists who are threatening America, but I say the real threat is those who tolerate and promote injustice. Our country is threatened by those who would rather protect the profits of the insurance industry instead of ensuring everyone has access to affordable and quality health care. I ask you, is our country stronger because we have over 40 million people without healthcare? The threat to our country is facilitated by those who would rather cut taxes for the rich instead of fixing our ailing infrastructure. Is our country stronger after Katrina? More now than ever, this threat is brought by those who would rather protect the profits of oil companies rather than see that people can afford basic nutrition. I ask you, is our country stronger because our country has millions of families going hungry everyday? The Congress has approved an emergency funding bill for the war in Iraq every time the president has asked. Now we need emergency funding for critical programs, which can be funded for a fraction of what we are spending in Iraq. This would be justice, and this is what people in Newark are calling for, not the destruction of the country.
wrong question
though, i agree we're spending ( wasting ) HUGE amounts of money on the war in Iraq...
asking if out country is stronger because people are going hungry is the wrong question... the question should be why are they going hungry... to which i would say, many have had poor educations, many don't speak english ( and may be illegals ), and MOST of us are just being taxed into oblivion...
how much does the state waste on redundant programs... here's an example:
http://www.ecodevdirectory.com/new_jersey.htm
so... how many economic development agencies are there in New Jersey??? i can't count that high...
how much money does the state waste incarcerating non-violent criminals for minor drug possession...
how much money does the state waste even just taking money from me only to give part of it back in homestead rebates and little tax breaks here and there...
just a few examples for you to ponder...
i don't want more programs to help me once i'm bankrupt... i'd like to keep my money in the 1st place so it never gets that bad...
The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets. - Will Rogers
Impeachment and an Illegitimate War
The time for any sober, pondering citizen from any political stripe to move beyond the point of mere criticism of the Bush administration's policies to acknowledging that his administration broke the law and international agreements multiple times (torture of prisoners, selling a false war to America, illegal wiretapping, etc.) should be long over. The Constitution demands that we, the citizens of the United States, hold our elected leaders accountable for when they deliberately break the law and ignore law and precedent; therefore, this administration must be impeached not because of its monumental incompetence but because it has broken numerous laws and sought to sequester power into the executive branch.
I am thankful that there are war protesters like Larry Hamm who aren't afraid to speak out against this illegitimate war and remind Americans of just how wasteful and unnecessary this conflict has been. We should have begun the withdrawal process years ago, included our allies in any war planning instead of ignoring international pleas for peace, and, of course, never invaded Iraq in the first place.
lol
Martin... although, I wholeheartedly support getting our people out of Iraq...
you're fooling yourself if you think this is the 1st administration that has tortured prisoners, sold all sorts of lies for anything and everything to the public, and has practiced illegal wiretapping...
just think of All the propaganda campaigns our country has had going all the way back to the civil war and beyond... you don't consider them lying to the public???
this is just the only time they come forward ( thanks to massive press coverage ) on it...
The only difference between death and taxes is that death doesn't get worse every time Congress meets. - Will Rogers
It all comes back
References to "beatniks?" "Hippies?" "Che Guevara?" Was this article actually written on the cusp of the Summer of Love, and you're just reprinting it today? God but I hope so. And those folks outside Fort Monmouth every Saturday really are a sad sight, the self-righteous, possessed of the conviction of their own moral superiority, but otherwise much prone to spouting rude billingsgate. The most dismaying thing in this very bad piece of writing was the reference to little kids wearing Black Panther buttons. If that's true, their parents should be sternly admonished for their false, dangerous nostalgia.
NJ Justice
First off I didn't claim anything. I just thought it was an interesting quote from someone who had suffered greatly because of the many things that were said and the actions of some that gave the enemy encouragement during that war. What is clear about the war is that Saddam agreed to the surrender in 1991 & certain sanctions were put in place to ensure he would meet that arrangement he signed. He stalled & stalled why? If he had nothing to hide why didn't he allow the inspectors to do their jobs? What is also clear we have our troops there with again people in their statements & actions have given encouragement to the enemy. This is the propaganda that is being feed to recruit suicide murders.P.O.P.wants to change the priorities of the United States. Fundamentally you said this movement is about building stronger communities & not destroying this country. Below is the core demands of this organization. Core Demands of the Political Platform of the People's Organization for Progress We demand reparations for the descendants of Africans enslaved in America. We want full and just compensation to all African Americans for the centuries of brutalization and forced labor that their ancestors were made to endure. We demand an end to police brutality, and demand the establishment of elected civilian review and control boards with subpoena and prosecutorial powers over all police forces at all levels in the U.S. We demand an immediate end to all racial inequity and racial discrimination in all areas of life in the U.S. We demand the immediate creation of jobs programs that will eliminate unemployment and provide jobs at union ages for every person that is willing and able to work. We demand a guaranteed minimum income for all people of working age that will allow them to adequately support themselves and their families and eliminate poverty and hunger in this country. We demand the establishment of a system of universal free health care in the U.S. which will enable all people to receive adequate and proper medical and dental care at all times. We demand the establishment of a system of free higher education that will enable all students to attend colleges and universities free of charge. We demand that all federal government fully subsidize all child care programs so that working parents will not longer have to pay for this service. We demand the abolition of the death penalty. We demand adequate food, clothing, housing, employment, health care, education, legal representation, recreation and culture for every person in the United States of America. I don't know but looking at your demands your group wants is definitely socialist bordering on communist. You had asked if this country was stronger because we are without affordable & quality health care & families going hungry everyday? Your demands don't suggest a solution just something for free. A government handout. The scariest words are I am from the government and here to help. The greatest difference between then & now is that then people had responsibilities & obligations compared to today where people demand rights & privileges. Newark is listed as a sanctuary city. Since 1962 Newark has been controlled by the Democrats so I don't understand why there are so many problems. Maybe all the crooks that the people who want justice put in office? Now the real way to provide better health care, education, & Social Security is to allow 30-40 million illegal aliens in this country. Opps, They're here already. Why would those people come to such a weak capitalist country?