DC for Democracy demonstrates against troop surge

Written by: Jesse Lovell on Jan 16, 2007 4:01 PM EST

DC for Democracy organized a demonstration outside the White House last Thursday following President Bush's announcement that he really would call up an additional 21,500 troops for his failed illegal war in Iraq. The "Bush Push," as I call it, is not a new policy, though. We saw the very same surge in October-November 2005, when we went from about 140,000 -- where we're at again right now -- to 160,000. (See the Brookings Institute for more info: http://www.brook.edu/fp/saban/iraq/index.pdf)

Once DC for Democracy realized there were no events planned for the day after Bush's announcement, a half-dozen of us or so took action. Taking some time to get in touch with local (and national) media beforehand, DC for Democracy was able to set up a large gathering in just a few days. Quite a number of people who were simply walking by the White House stopped to join our demonstration once they saw what we were doing. Clearly there's no lack of opposition to this new troop surge. President Bush arrived back by helicopter from Ft. Benning, GA just as our speakers got started.

DC for Democracy's Mike Shor coordinated much of the event and served as host. Here's his summary of the events:

Last night 500 people gathered outside the White House to say NO to Mr. Bush’s escalation. They heard from Tom Andrews, Director of Win Without War, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jeff Kovite of Military Families Speak Out, and Raed Jarrar of Global Exchange, an Iraqi citizen. Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) also attended. The meeting was co-sponsored by Win Without War, MoveOn, Democracy for America, and DC for Democracy, which managed the protest. The candlelit group heard a reading of the names of Iraq war casualties from the area, observed a ten minute silent vigil, and signed petitions. Three TV networks, the Washington Post, and radio and newspaper reporters from as far as Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand covered the demonstration.

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Mike Shor

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Raed Jarrar

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Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA)

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Reading the names (DC-area soldiers lost in Iraq)

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Location: Washington, DC 20008