One man’s protest gains support daily
Jenny Marder
Every Sunday a group of protesters, with signs in hand, meet across
the street from Marina High School to oppose a war with Iraq,
undaunted by screamed obscenities and the occasional lewd gesture
from passing drivers.
For a couple hours each week, the group gathers at the corner of
Springdale Street and Edinger Avenue to show its resistance to the
possible war and displeasure with the Bush administration. The group
is eclectic -- a schoolteacher, a priest, a mother, as well as
students. The group’s number averages about a dozen and they come
from all over Orange County, including Huntington Beach, Long Beach,
Garden Grove, Westminster and Irvine.
But they meet with a common purpose.
Most of their signs are made of cardboard with slogans like “No
Good Evidence,” “Stop Bush” and “Support our Troops, Bring ‘em Home.”
One woman carries a cardboard box with “I Say No to War” written in
red lipstick.
As a white pickup truck drives through the intersection honking,
two hands emerge from the windows; one flashes a thumbs down, the
other the middle finger.
The protesters are not fazed, and they wave banners and peace
signs at the passing truck in reply. It’s nothing they haven’t seen
before.
“What strikes me as mind-blowing is people drive by and honk and
you think they’re saying ‘right on,’ but really they’re giving us the
finger,” said Greg Varela, a protester from Long Beach. “For every
one positive [response], there’s about five negatives.”
Nonetheless, Cecil Powers, organizer of the protest, said he has
had overwhelming support since he started the demonstration in
November.
Powers launched the demonstrations when he began to see “an
inevitable movement toward war,” which drove him to the point where
he had to do something, he said.
Powers chose this particular corner because nearby lots offer
accessible parking, large intersections grant visibility and because
it is far enough from nearby businesses that protesters won’t pose a
disturbance. Mostly though, he chose the intersection because it’s
within walking distance from his house. One side of his sign says “No
War in Iraq” in large black letters and the other reads “No Blood for
Oil.” There is also a small black peace sign on the front of his
homemade t-shirt.
For two months, he crossed the street every Sunday and stood at
the corner, alone, sign held high. As time passed, other protesters
began to join him.
“We are not out here to change minds,” Powers said. “We want to
motivate the people that agree with us. I think this is a nice outlet
for people who do show up where they can meet like-minded people to
discuss their views.”
Powers said he thinks people in Orange County are often
intimidated to speak out against the war.
“I was anticipating more of a negative response,” Powers said.
“Historically, when war starts, people tend to back the troops. But I
think coming out here is the best way to support the troops.”
He smiled as a passerby honked, cheered and flashed a peace sign.
Some Sundays, those opposed to the protest come out to challenge
the demonstrators. On March 2, for example, eight or nine supporters
of the war gathered across the street to counter the anti-war rally.
“They were yelling a lot of obscenities at us,” Powers said. “It
was really intense.”
Things were quieter at Sunday’s rally.
At about 1:30 p.m., two half-naked teenagers sauntered quickly and
silently past the protesters, crossed the street and walked away.
Painted across their bare backs were the words Pro-War and USA.
Across their chests were peace signs.
One protester, Irvine resident Mike Gates, said he worries that if
the U.S. and Great Britain forego an international coalition and
fight alone, it could lead to the destruction of the United Nations
and the loss of American legitimacy in the international sphere.
“My feeling is that war is justified if the international
community is behind it and the international community is not behind
it,” Gates said.
Deacon Charlie Lehman from Westminster joined the protest because
although he supports putting a stop to Al Qaeda, he predicts this war
will have the opposite effect.
“What kind of impression are we going to make if we give Baghdad
the Dresden treatment,” he said. His sign reads “No Good Evidence.”
If war is declared, Powers said he will leave work on that day to
protest at his corner.
He could not say how long he will continue to hold his small
protest, but predicts it will be well into the war, which he
considers is inevitable.
“Until I see some changes in the administration, such as
withdrawal ... I intend to be active, whether or not I remain at the
corner,” he said.
* JENNY MARDER covers City Hall. She can be reached at (714)
965-7173 or by e-mail at jenny.marder@latimes.com.
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