Also this issue:

Presidential Pique
The leader of the Dominican Republic is mad as hell and sending lawyers to Philly.
-Howard Altman

Naval Gazing
City may have let Toll Brothers off the hook before the Naval Home fire.
-Gwen Shaffer

Eighth District Councilmanic Mania
-Mary F. Patel

The Bell Curve
City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

February 20-26, 2003

city beat

Peace!

Thousands of Philadelphia-area residents protest war.

by Gwen Shaffer

Folks shopping at the Gallery on Saturday encountered more than end-of-the-season bargains. They were confronted with about 10,000 protesters marching down Market Street in opposition to a U.S. war against Iraq. An amazingly diverse crowd -- from college students to aging hippies -- created a sea of colorful knit caps and scarves from Broad and Spring Garden streets to the Liberty Bell.

The overwhelming theme of the march was concern over the Bush administration's policies not just when it comes to foreign policy, but on domestic social issues as well. A sign held by an older woman with long gray hair may have summed up this sentiment best: "Americans Face the Reality, the Bush Administration is Psychotic."

When the procession temporarily slowed down outside City Hall, City Councilman Angel Ortiz hopped on the truck leading the procession. He took the bullhorn to stress the need to focus attention on civil rights violations and poverty here at home.

"The war for education and health services is here," he stressed. "We're spending millions of dollars on bombs, when we should be spending that money on schools So let's keep on telling the [Bush administration] that we are the majority. We are America!"

The protesters came from all walks of life, and how they chose to express concern over a potential military conflict with Iraq reflected this fact. A "black block" of anarchists hoisting a ripped American flag and anti-establishment signs marched beside middle-aged women softly singing, "We Shall Overcome." A couple pulled a red wagon carrying their daughter. The little girl was surrounded by dolls carrying miniature picket signs that read "Barbies Against War." Twentysomethings sporting dreds and pierced eyebrows kept warm by forming a drum circle and dancing.

A heavily bundled Susan Campbell, who lives in Narberth, said she was impressed with the passionate tone of the protest. "We need to be strong to overcome the horrible attempts of the administration to use violence against the people of the world," she said.

The Philadelphia event was just one of dozens held in cities throughout the United States and around the world this past weekend. Locally, the protest was organized by the Philadelphia Regional Anti-War Network (PRAWN), made up of dozens of religious, labor and political organizations. The American Friends Service Committee, Businesses Against the War, Coalition of Labor Union Women, Green Party of Philadelphia, Foundation for Islamic Education and the National Organization for Women are among the groups that have signed on.