Exclusive- Anti-War Demonstrators Rally and March in Salem (VIDEO)

"...to see what's happening in our country, the destruction of justice, illegal wars, illegal wiretapping, I think we're going downhill and we need to take America back." - Jackie Pierce, Anti-War Demonstrator

(SALEM) - Anti-War protestors rallied around the world today, and a peaceful demonstration was held in Oregon’s capitol city.

"What we're trying to do really is wake up America to what the Bush administration has been doing during it's entire life in control of the Congress and the Presidency." Sharon Scott was also an active protestor during the Vietnam War. Another demonstrator named Jackie Pierce says it is possible to bring about great change when people come together, "I think that if we get out here and do some on the ground stuff, then yeah, I think we can take America back. I think there are enough of us out here that know it wrong and it has to change." One of the demonstrators is promoting a Website established by an Army Lt. named Ehren Watada who on June 22nd, became the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to the Iraq War and occupation.

The Website called www.thankyoult.org, it is intended to give a base of support for active duty soldiers who don’t agree with the direction of the nation. Local Demonstrator Reed Elder says he wants active duty personnel to pay attention to Ehren Watada's Website, "He's looking for people like him. He's trying to get other service people to say the same thing. That what they've seen in Iraq or what they know about Iraq, really says something to them, it puts a seed in their conscience." Salem’s anti-Bush and anti-war protest was totally peaceful, with crowd estimates between 75 and 100. Lt. John Hoffmeister with Salem Police says everyone involved was cooperative and that is generally how things go in Salem. "We've never had anything more than small problems and we pay attention to them and let those folks know what they're doing that is incorrect and they will correct whatever those issues are and we've always had peaceful completely law abiding protests and that's why we're here today."

"We're here to ensure their right to protest peacefully and lawfully as well as ensure everyone else's right to continue their normal other business that they would be doing as they're driving down the streets, walking down the streets, conducting business downtown." As the march got underway, protestors headed west from the Oregon capitol on Court Street, making their way along the downtown sidewalks. Eventually they made their way past Salem's Convention Center and on to Peace Plaza at city hall. Jackie Pierce says we are raised to tell the truth, yet she feels her own country is responsible for a series of lies, "It's very important for me to come up today, to see what's happening in our country, the destruction of justice, illegal wars, illegal wiretapping, I think we're going downhill and we need to take America back." The protestors say more people should join them, they say people are complacent and need to stand up and make their voices heard, and everyone should do that, regardless of their political opinions. WATCH THE STREAMING VIDEO NEWS REPORT BELOW BY SALEM-NEWS.COM'S TIM KING Video

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Henry Ruark October 9, 2006 11:11 am (Pacific time)

Al: You'been around all thru denigration of media over past two decades. Due mostly to corporate greed, but also to sell-outs by supposed journalists, answer is open and comparatively simple - constant stream of rebellion from those within and without knowing democratic damages and doing something about it. You doing your part, might acknowledge !!

Albert Marnell October 9, 2006 6:07 am (Pacific time)

A REMINDER: Do not forget www.ogrish.com Go to archives, beheadings, Eugene Armstrong and see what conflict is like. Search for other Iraq related censored by government footage. There is alot, including porn, but search for the horrible truth about the stupidity of the occupation.

Albert Marnell October 9, 2006 5:50 am (Pacific time)

Hank, Yesterday at a friend's house, (I refuse to pay for television), I saw a Chris Matthews discussion that was supposed to be informative on what's happening. You heard the page chatter and other useless insight. The panelists have the potential to tell all but are afraid of lawsuits, career loss and even jail. It was insipid. No one talk about any real issues. If what goes on in Bilderberg meetings (you know the others) is good for ordinary people, I ask, "Why can't they publicize it?"

Henry Ruark October 9, 2006 12:17 am (Pacific time)

JT, Al et al: Bothau make great points; but original First Amendment concept of truly-free press open for solid challenge and change from citizen inputs is the only sure cure society has ever conceived -if we protect and preserve it, we have grat weapon...as dialog here clearly demonstrates. Makes votes mean something, when finally achieved.

Albert Marnell October 8, 2006 11:31 pm (Pacific time)

For those of you who want to see reality T.V. and the reality of Iraq, go to www.ogrish.com When you get to the site, go to archives and then beheadings. The beheading of Eugene Armstrong is one of the more gruesume on the site. You want to know what war is like, search www.ogrish.com for other things related to Iraq and you will see what the government does not want you to see. So remove yourself from your comfortable chairs in your safe little world and see the hell for yourself.

Albert Marnell October 8, 2006 11:01 pm (Pacific time)

JT, As always in history, the only way for a positive change is the inevitable bloody social revolution. This most wealthy country has so few social benefits for the needy but so much excess for the greedy. The only way to change things at this point is for the average American to Bare Arms and organize. There is no other solution at this point. We have to protect ourselves as Americans from the present military-police state which serves only the global bankers, industrialists and their puppet politicians. Civil unrest is inevitable in the coming years. Americans will not tolerate a government that no longer is in service of the people. This administration is already guilty of war crimes that should result in a firing squad for treason. Removing our fighter jets to Canada and Alaska to make Americans Reichstag angry enough to fall for the bullshot of 9/11 is treason. The penalty should be death. Nice-nice will not do the trick, it never has. Check out "The Truth and Lies of 9/11" only on the internet, by Mike Ruppert. I was just outside of the city of New York on 9/11 and had friends working in Manhattan. They all will ask, "Where were the fighter jets?" We live in a pretend democracy when in fact it is a Fiefdom. I was always for gun control....not anymore, it is time for all Americans to start the process of self-preservation, liberty and true freedom...not jingoistic fantasy. Bless the NEW AMERICA to come.

JT October 8, 2006 9:07 pm (Pacific time)

I don't feel qualified to evaluate the current events in light of the fact that they are several step removed from me. I will grant that suspicious events bother me and I know there are those who want it kept secret. But then again would we be better informed if anyone else were president? Not to mention that power struggles of titanic proportions go unreported until too late as in Amelia Earhardt and probably a hundred more. It is what it is and if you are convinced that Global Elite control us, I would have to agree to a point but how can you or I and others end that. Bush is in the trenches so to speak and getting dirty is inevitable the hope is his method is better than anything else we have. I think that by exercising so hard against Bush we fail to see the others who may need attention. But then there is the Power Elite who want it that way. So some plan to realize a positive change needs to be fashioned and it has to be stronger than theirs.

Henry Ruark October 8, 2006 12:50 pm (Pacific time)

JT, Al, et al: Nice to see some solid thinking herein...and suggest we continue with dialog vs debate. Via dialog we skip the personal-characteristics stuff and stick to facts, with reference to sources where demanded, or exchanged off-line here since space-time belongs to others, too. Keep on keepin' on with source of "tell it true" too...some herein, more coming. and KNOW your SOURCE if you really intend to evaluate.

Albert Marnell October 8, 2006 9:39 am (Pacific time)

JT, Can you tell me one thing that Bush has done for the country. He just appointed Henry Paulson as Treasury Secretary and one of Paulson's goals is to further destroy Social Security and Medicare. Bush has been destroying it for years by allowing minimum yearly increases and reducing Medicare benefits. People need Social Security and Medicare, if not for old age, for disability. Trust me, I could do without the kind of care that Bush has for this country. During the gas crises last fall his response was, "Just don't drive." All he cares about is the super rich....the Bilderberg, Trilateral Commission and Council on Foreign Relations. These organizations are euphemisms for private power clubs that serve themselves. Do you think Bush cares about you? He is truly a very sick man and his sickness has brought harm and evil. He participated in the creation of 9/11 by allowing it to happen and welcoming it. You should read more about some of these organizations including the Committee of 300, Club of Rome, British Roundtable and others. Go to the site F.R.E.E. The Fund to Restore an Educated Electorate.

Albert Marnell October 8, 2006 7:23 am (Pacific time)

JT, Thank You. Should we be debate or exchange information? I can not answer this question. Maybe debate is inevitable because people are resistant to change or new information especially when they have believed in a misinformation so long and it may even be part of the popular culture. My whole life I was told that Amelia Earhardt just disappeared into nowhere. That is what we were told until a few years ago. Actually, she was on a secret spy mission for F.D.R. and eventually died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. I found the new info refreshing and always questioned the going story. I only waited forty years to hear what is now believed to be the present truth. Thanks again for the decency and intelligence in your response.

JT October 8, 2006 3:01 am (Pacific time)

Good job Albert presenting your views concisely. I could really understand you and I found myself agreeing with much of what you said. I am not hot on being on one side of a fence created by those trying to push me into their idea of right and wrong whatever it happens to be. Pro Jewish or Pro Muslim, Republican or Democrat, rich vs. poor. I admit I can't see through all the deception thrown at me by all the groups that do, but I want the truth and again I admit that I don't go digging for it enough. It's dangerous not to, I know, but I'm preoccupied with my own problems that keep me from it. I wish there were friendly people who could comment at Salem-News here about all the articles and debate them and let the best man win. Know what I mean? That would attract the kind of reporting that would attract a real think tank of problem solvers and we could very likely upset the balance. The pen is mighter than the sword or the heart is mightier than the money.

Albert Marnell October 7, 2006 4:48 pm (Pacific time)

JT et al: My point is that 90% of the mass media is owned by Jewish billionaires. Naturally they are going to do anything to promote a pro-Israeli agenda. You will not get anything that even remotely relfects objectivity when covering the Middle East or Arab nations. This would be true if the mainstream media was owned by 90% billionaire Christian Fundamentalists. You get more than a slant, you get an agenda. The media elite whatever they be will feed you what they want as a reality and will do or say ANYTHING that shapes the perception of the world in the way that they want. That is why I say stay away from all forms of media except truly independent. Many Jewish people are objective about the Middle East but most of them that I speak to (and I grew up in a mostly Jewish neighborhood) are going to say Israel first before even the U.S. if it comes to the point. There is a very extreme alliance of America and Israel. This is because there are more Jewish people in the United States than any other country in the world, including Israel. If you criticize this reality they call you anti-Semitic and get all dramatic. The Rothchild banking family was intrumental in the creation of Israel. This goes back all the way to the first world war. As far as most Israeli's are concerned, a dead Arab or Muslim is one less threatened Jew. That is why most of them will back anything that weakens the Arab nations. There are other reasons for being in Iraq, but a major reason is that the media elite want a very powerful Israel and a very weak if not eliminated Arab and Muslim world.

JT October 7, 2006 2:59 pm (Pacific time)

Make connections, but follow your heart. Greed will lead to where you don't want to be but it's tempting. I said Tempting! Historic fact as in Simon and Schuster, or as in "still in debate" and one mans opinion is another mans proof? I've always been on the approval side of the polls about Bush. Even now I see a lot of people don't understand his work and though he's no angel, he cares for this country.

David Kelly October 7, 2006 2:36 pm (Pacific time)

Al - Your comments below are right on the "money". Don't be discouraged that people don't get it. The MSM is 100% controlled. People don't want to believe that the so called Fourth Estate - the protector of the people - has been hijacked by the Global Elite.

Henry Ruark October 7, 2006 2:25 pm (Pacific time)

JT: Let me help a bit on media and Irq. It is historic fact that most major media accepted the Bush cockamamie story without responding appropriately as true "free press" should do...and have been seeking crying-towel and confession ever since... Al dead-right...and many others now dead, too, ours and theirs.... Ya gotta make connections to get anywheres in this world...and then usually you are sorry you ever got there...sad fact surpassing important "in the media". Tempted to write-more but already over-exposed...oops, gotta watch language after that DC comic program. See what I mean ???

JT October 7, 2006 12:52 pm (Pacific time)

Al, I don't understand the connection between the war in Iraq and the power elites in the media. If you narrow your focus to one or two topics, I might be able to follow your thoughts better.

Henry Ruark October 7, 2006 12:13 pm (Pacific time)

Al: Do not conclude that you are alone...it is only that the complexities and confusions, piled on top of realities for survival, now demand attention from so many, on so much, that they have little energy, time or money to devote to "the big picture". Only possible posture for those seeking to amend and if necessary revolutionize the entire mess is to take it smaller piece-by-piece...as in this dialog even ! Hank Minott (UPI Wires Bsn) beat this into our skulls month after month...and, for me at least, it still rings true. "Keep on keepin' on !" he would shout...and it still works.

Albert Marnell October 7, 2006 11:52 am (Pacific time)

I never do this but I am really shocked that no one commented on what I wrote below. It is truth and summarizes many real important issues. If people do not get it, we are in bigger trouble than I realized. It is in situations like this that I want to give some people just what they want.... that I will go away. For the apathetic I say, "I will save myself." Very few know or want to discuss the real meat of the matter.

Henry Ruark October 7, 2006 6:09 am (Pacific time)

For all: Tim states it beautifully in his last pgh. Read-again in light of EqR (just below) who details some of the same foundation thinking, from some of the same philosophies. That's the difference dialog vs debate can make, in any true democracy --we learn continuously from each other, as did the Founders.

Tim King October 6, 2006 10:12 pm (Pacific time)

Vic Pittman- We ran this story as an upcoming event for four or five days and then put it back at the top the day before it happened.

Indy sights are fine but we offer a mainstream site with realistic news; we aren't buying anything we shouldn't, we have these comments that are like mini-blogs and we allow everyone a voice without a hassle.

The good thing is that we have two sides, some of our stories might reflect a more conservative point of view, but that allows everyone a glance at the other side.

My wife and I are very evenly divided between our love of peace and our respect for those who serve. I think most people feel sort of like that.

I left this rally and went to see friends at the War Memorial being built on Summer Street. We want people to be able to see the forest through the trees.

When it comes to understanding the current wars overseas and their potential consequences, Salem-News.com's two founding newspeople, Kevin Hays and myself, are both military veterans, so we have a well-placed perspective at this particular point in time.

I believe the anti-war movement has been extremely considerate of soldiers and their families, and that understanding needs to be brought as far forward as possible.

We hope this kind of thinking can build bridges, steer people toward the center of the road, and allow clearer thinking. Think of us as a cross between a TV station and a newspaper with no corporate mentality, no hungry shareholders, we are the answer to the future with locally owned and operated on-demand web news.

Henry Ruark October 6, 2006 1:51 pm (Pacific time)

EqR et al: First remember "You can't beat SOMEthing with NOTHing !"; also true "Can't be silent and expect to be heard". Responsible action always beats inordinate delay and backing-away from realities. Demo did well and participants deserve kudos and further cooperation. I.E. "Speak truth to power" and keep on repeating it with whatever action is finally required...what Founders did when they frustrated enough by British malignities.

eqriddler October 6, 2006 1:13 pm (Pacific time)

If you've ever read the constitution, you'll've seen a number of specifics that generated the revolutionary response of the framers. Marches are fine but generating revolution requires specifics. My personal motivation is not revolution per se, but effectivness of effort. I hate the waste of time and energy of which people seem to be so fond. Lt. Watada is your poster boy but he's risky because his case is not confirmed in the courts. I like the hard hitting facts plastered on picket signs and anywhere else they can be seen. But be sure they are as indisputable as possible. If questionable, then effectivness is wasted, stay away from that. For example, "WMD's WERE NOT FOUND AND THE US MADE A MISTAKE THAT COST LIVES" is a valid message but it's placed against the criminality of Saddam so it is not an effective one at the top level of propaganda messages. It could be that Bush has contributed positives as well as negatives but more negatives. Consider how you can strengthen your efforts by becoming aware of the oppositions self perceived strengths. Going for a walk downtown in a group creates a spectacle and thats only good if the spectacle is overshadowed by effective propaganda. The current ineffective efforts to undo the status quo will continue to fail unless you all align under this basic understanding. I support truth regardless of affiliation which is why I can't participate to the degree you would like. But, I do understand there is truth here that can be learned and I look forward to it.

Vic Pittman October 6, 2006 11:22 am (Pacific time)

We would have gone to this if we had heard about it. Is there a salemindy site or some way that people around here can organize ? We want to start protesting at the Lancaster Recruiting offices and would like to connect with others.

Kevin Prociw, Eugene OR October 6, 2006 9:06 am (Pacific time)

As one of the participants in yesterday’s events, I wanted to take a moment to commend Lt. John Hoffmeister of the Salem Police Department. I thought that when the cops first showed up on the scene that the demonstration was over. I figured we were going to be asked to leave. But instead, Lt. Hoffmeister informed the group that we absolutely had the constitutional right to be there. He proceeded to tell us that without a parade permit that we simply needed to obey all of the pedestrian rules and traffic devices. Later as we were wrapping up the main part of the march around the capitol, we saw Mr. Hoffmeister again who thanked us for a peaceful demonstration. As a matter of fact, I recall two other officers that thanked us later as well. Granted, there were a lot of cops there to keep the peace. We were being watched like hawks. But no one ever hassled us and all and all, I thought the demonstration went off quite peacefully.

annioregon October 6, 2006 7:11 am (Pacific time)

I appreciate that the organizers of this event made a stab at participating in this national event. I'm having difficulty understanding why Salem Peaceworks, American Friends, and other local groups didn't come out in support of the demonstration. Peter Bergel (sp?) was walking alone in the back of the line. . .where was his constituency?

Henry Ruark October 6, 2006 6:04 am (Pacific time)

Tim et al: Gott break our rule re comment on colleague's work. This is great story, beautifully reported --and visualized ! Mom told me: "Tell it true and people will believe you" --and that's what we do at Salem-News. Nothing beats "see with own eyes"...

Albert Marnell October 6, 2006 3:35 am (Pacific time)

This occupation is about selling military equipment and munitions, government contracts, kickbacks, oil, the hatred that many Israeli's and American Jews have for Arabs, more American bases planted throughout the world for the New World Order, profits for Halliburton and President Bush's personality disorders which created his alchoholism and drug use. He has what appears to be Narcissistic Personality Disorder and or Borderline Personality Disorder. The war is also about the fact that the American people forget about the limits of television and have not analyzed 9/11 from a historical perspective. We allowed Pearl Harbor to happen. There is enough critical proof and information only available on the yet mostly uncensored internet that 9/11 was an inside job. Watch "The Truth and Lies of 9/11" which is factual and not speculative. Also watch "Loose Change" and decide for yourself. These things are available only on the internet because mainstream media is controlled by about 6 billionaires that have connections to politicians and the Global Elite. Screw.... Summner Redstone (Murray Rothstein), Michael Eisner, Ruppert Murdoch, Edgar Bronfman, Gerald Levin, Mortimer Zuckerman and the rest who understandably will promote a totally pro-Israeli agenda because they are Jewish. If you were a billionare in control of over 90% of the media, wouldn't you promote your ideology?...... I would. So kill every Arab so that Israel can become the homeland for the Jewish Elite including the banking family Rothchild. Don't forget the other global bankers like Rockfeller, Paul Wolfowitz, Henry M. Paulson etc. For Heaven's Sake get of this Democrat-Republican kick, it is all about the largest sums of money that can be transferred to and from the largest bankers and corporations (owned by individuals). Did you ever wonder why not one billionaire or very prominent person such as Mayor Bloomberg, Rudolph Guiliani, or even Chelsea Clinton were not killed in 9/11. This whole deal was planned by the most rich and powerful in control at the time for their own agenda not yours. No one gives a damn about the likes of you or I. Yes, Chelsea was in Manhattan on 9/11 and I am glad she is not dead.

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