The group says the assassination of Benizer Bhutto in Pakistan adds urgency to the call for an end to war.
(PORTLAND, Ore.) - On December 28th, the Friday after Christmas, members of the Surge Protection Brigade, also known as the "Seriously Pissed Off Grannies", will return to demonstrate in front of the Army and Marine Recruiting Center at 1317 NE Broadway.
The symbols used in this Friday's demonstration will include red handprints and peace doves as a statement that "Peace on Earth" means "No War."
On December 13th five members of the group who placed red handprints on the recruiting office windows during a Good Friday demonstration on April 6th were found not guilty of a third degree misdemeanor by a Multnomah County jury.
Clyde Chamberlain, who was previously barred from the recruiting office pending a verdict in that trial, said, "We're back because the war is still not over. Now that we've been exonerated by the jury it's time to renew our efforts to stop the recruiters from taking our children and grandchildren to fight an illegal and immoral war."
As of December 26th, 3900 US soldiers have died in the Iraq war; and many US soldiers have committed suicide. Approximately 30,000 US soldiers have been wounded, and tens of thousands suffer from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
The group says that as tragic as these deaths are for American families and communities, the numbers are dwarfed by the approximately 1.2 million Iraqis who have died and the 4 million Iraqis who are now refugees.
They say the assassination of Benizer Bhutto in Pakistan adds urgency to the call for an end to war. Ann Huntwork, another of the "Grannies" arrested on April 6th at the recruiting office made this statement
"As we hear the tragic and sad assassination of Benizer Bhutto and as that country now dissolves into chaos, we have even more reason to put all our efforts into making peace in that part of the world, a peace that is longed for by so many people."
Grannies Return to Recruiting Office to Protest War
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