Akron Marks Iraq War Dead : Cleveland IMC (((i)))

I couldn't get an accurate head count - it was about 60 - because the bourgeois media were as thick as.....well, lets skip the analogy. The professional media seemed to be primed for the event, a sure sign that even ruling class interests are turning against the war.

The Federal security guard came out and inspected the photos of the Ohio dead on the 'blast wall' surrounding the Federal Building and went back to consult with his superiors, who apparently decided it would be bad press to order pictures of Federal casualties taken down from a Federal wall.

Joe, the lone speaker, laid it on heavy about how the politicians were sending other peoples' sons and daughters to die while almost none from Congresssional or Administration families went.

The crowd was in a quiet mood, befitting a memorial. Plenty of time for loudness at later events. Of course there was the inevitable lone heckler, but even he was subdued.

Lighting the candles drew a lot of attention. There were persistent attempts to light a ring of them around the shoes representing the Iraqi dead, but the wind was a bit too high. There was better luck in the shelter of the Federal Building blast wall, where 2000 candles were set down.

All across the country you know there are hundreds of similar events. And you can sense that public opinion has turned against the evil imperialist war, by whatever terms different people choose to describe it.

there were several Vietnam and Iraq war veterans in the group, as well as family members.

It had to be a symbolic number, there was no way to gather 100,000 or so pairs. They drew a lot of attention and respect.

Photos of the Ohio dead were taped to the Marble blast wall of the Federal Building. Too late for them to learn a lesson.

These candles were enough out of the wind to stay lit.

Good pics, Andy. I like the description, too. Didn't know that the Fed "Security Guard" (who stood outside freezing his but off in a short-sleeve shirt the whole time) looked at the photos early on. It would've looked real bad, especially with all those TV cameras.

Those candles kept blowing out, repeatedly. Those of us who spend nearly an hour freezing (and burning) our fingers trying to light them all (hundreds and hundreds of them) kept commenting how ironic it was that the candles kept blowing out. We figured it was analogous as to how the US government keeps shipping more US soldiers over to Iraq, only to have them shot, blown-up, etc. A senior woman crouched over the candles commented on how the whole thing was "futile", then laughed cyncically and said, "just like this whole ridiculous war".

I too was involved in lighting the candles. I appreciate and agree with the previous comment on the irony of the situation. I would just like to add to the interpretation of the symbolism.
there was a individuals engaged in this active, non-violent, poetic act of lighting candles for our fallen brothers and sisters. In regards to them repeatedly blowing out... when we were all there shoulder to shoulder lighting those votive candles, burning our fingers and getting frustrated the candles would get and stay lit. it was when someone leaned back, or stepped away, that the candles really began to blow out.
is it not our civic duty to engage in these kinds of activities/protests/vigils in an effort to protect the 'flame' of people who are currently overseas. when we get tired and sore... when we step away from their cause their light has no hope. it is only with our COLLECTIVE efforts that we have enough mass to shelter them from the wind of this absolutely corrupt administration that seems bent on blowing everything out... or up.
i do not think that i have been as encouraged or heartened by anything more than that vigil.
i can't wait till our folks come home.

Cleveland Indy Media Center