FRESNO SAYS NO TO WAR

FRESNO SAYS NO TO WAR
By Mike Rhodes*
February 15, 2003

A huge rally and march was held in Fresno today calling on president select Bush not to invade Iraq. The noon time rally in the Tower District filled the sidewalks of Olive Avenue with protestors who then marched to Fresno City College for speakers and music. Several independent monitors counted over 1,000 people as protestors moved down Van Ness Avenue making this the largest anti-war march this city has seen in a long time.

Protestors were encouraged by massive demonstrations held in Europe and in cities throughout this country. News reports of millions of people on the streets in European cities created an optimistic buzz through the crowd. Reports from the United Nations yesterday that the Bush administration had lost ground in its effort to attack Iraq gave protestors a sense of optimism and momentum.

This was not the only anti-war demonstration taking place in Fresno this weekend. Late Friday afternoon a large crowd of peace activists gathered on Fresno’s busiest street corner, Shaw and Blackstone. They handed out fliers, held anti-war signs, and waved at passing motorists who honked their approval. Earlier today a group of over 50 high school students marched from Shaw and Blackstone to River Park to protest the war. They joined the larger demonstration later in the day as they arrived at Fresno City College.

The large march today was organized by Peace Fresno. Peace Fresno holds a rally every Friday at Shaw and Blackstone starting at 4:30 PM. They meet every Tuesday at 7 PM at the Fresno Center for Nonviolence at 985 N Van Ness in Fresno to discuss strategy and tactics. For more information about anti-war activities in Fresno go to the Peace Fresno web site at: http://www.fresnoalliance.com/peacefresno

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* Mike Rhodes is the editor of the Community Alliance magazine. For more information about the Community Alliance go to: http://www.fresnoalliance.com/home