Protesters push for peace

Deepa Bharath

Close to 40 protesters walked around Fashion Island late Friday

morning, holding or wearing signs proclaiming: “Bomb nothing, buy

nothing.” They were protesting the war in Iraq.

Protesters want to convey to holiday shoppers that the money they

spend at the stores will end up funding the war, said Jarret Lovell

of Costa Mesa, a march participant.

“We can pretend that just because we put on decorations and

celebrate our holidays, the war isn’t going on,” he said. “But

there’s a direct link between the war and consumerism.”

Members of groups such as Veterans for Peace, Orange County Peace

Coalition, the Green Party and Code Pink -- a feminist group --

participated in the protest.

The small group, which marched quietly across the shopping center,

raised a few brows, but some shoppers said they weren’t bothered by

it.

“It’s not going to stop shoppers,” said Barbara Spence of Chino

Hills. “It’s not going to change anything. This is the way of the

world.”

Linda Donley of Fountain Valley said she was wasn’t going to let a

protest “put me in a bad mood.”

“The holidays are pretty tough as it is,” she said. “Of course, we

support our troops. But we can’t stop celebrating the holidays.

Christmas is something we have to do.”

Allyn Trott, owner of a clothing store in Fashion Island, said she

didn’t think anyone was paying attention to the protesters.

“People don’t listen to that,” she said. “If they want to buy

stuff, they’re going to buy stuff. Nothing’s going to stop people

from shopping during the holidays.”

Chuck Anderson, a member of Veterans for Peace, said he was

“standing up against war and imperialism.”

The different groups plan on holding similar protests at different

Orange County malls during the holiday season, Anderson said.

“Any money people spend goes to support war,” he said. “We’re here

in an attempt to promote peace among Newport Beach Republicans.”

* DEEPA BHARATH is the enterprise and general assignment reporter.

She may be reached at (714) 966-4625 or by e-mail at

deepa.bharath@latimes.com.