[NOAC] Yesterday's event / Tomorrow's meeting
by greg coleridge (forwarded by andy) Sunday, Dec. 12, 2004 at 11:00 PM
NOACINFO@aol.com 216-736-4716

Our march and rally was a great event!

[NOAC] Yesterday's event / Tomorrow's meeting

Sun, 12 Dec 2004 09:13:39 EST


Northeast Ohio Anti-War Coalition [NOAC]

============================================

Our march and rally was a great event! Despite terrible weather, nearly 150
people (determined by headcount) took part in a boisterous event (see Plain
Dealer coverage below). Several TV stations were also present. Iraq war veteran
Chad Salamon gave a great speech. Many others, including those who had been in
war or with loved ones now in Iraq, also spoke during the open mike session.

We need now to plan for transportating people to demonsrate against the
war/occupation at the January 20 inauguration... and consider holding a local
action on the same day. How successful we are at planning for one or both events
will be largely determined by how many people help in the planning. Your chance
to be involved and help out is tomorrow.

Next meeting
NOAC
Monday, December 13, 6:30 PM
ACLU, 4506 Chester Ave, Cleveland

Help us build the the local and national movement against the war and
occupation and for peace and justice!


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http://www.cleveland.com/search/in
dex.ssf?/base/iswar/1102856107237970.xml?iswar

Veteran of war among 100 protesting action in Iraq

Sunday, December 12, 2004

Catherine Gabe
Plain Dealer Reporter

Braving Saturday's snappy winds and wet snow, about 100 marchers protested
the war in Iraq, spreading their message from Cleveland's West Side to downtown.

Among them were professors, students, a pediatrician, a judge, a Jesuit
priest, a mother of a soldier and veteran Chad Salamon, who returned from Iraq in
August.

"The bottom line is that our government has betrayed us," said Salamon of
Ravenna, who served as a mechanic in a medical unit for six months as a member of
the Ohio National Guard. "They have betrayed the men and women in uniform by
sending them into harm's way without proper protection or just cause."

Salamon, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, walked with the marchers
from a park near the West Side Market, through Ohio City and over the
Detroit-Superior (Veterans Memorial) Bridge for a speech at Public Square.

The event was organized by the Northeast Ohio Anti-War Coalition.

Sheri Banks of Sagamore Hills watched the protesters after shopping at the
market with her husband, Gary.

"I agree with them," she said. "A lot of people never open their mouths and
nothing changes."

After a speakout on Public Square, some of the marchers walked into Tower
City to warm themselves.

Cleveland police and management representatives quickly escorted them outside
after they began anti-war chants.

Lakewood residents Liz Conway and Elizabeth Wood were nearly arrested after
trying to re- enter Tower City to board the RTA rapid home. Police ordered them
to leave immediately and take off stickers that read "End the U.S. Empire."

"I can't believe that anything you say against Bush or that's not patriotic
is an arrestable offense," Wood said.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

cgabe@plaind.com, 1-800-767-2821

© 2004 The Plain Dealer.

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