From the Wenatchee World, published 10/6/06 on the frontpage:
Bush needs to go, local protesters say
By Christine Pratt, World staff writer
WENATCHEE
– The corner of First Street and North Wenatchee Avenue became part of
a nationwide political protest at noon Thursday, when some 20
sign-waving demonstrators gathered there to express their contempt for
the Bush administration and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“This is to awaken the public to speak out about what’s happening in
our government and with the war and how this regime needs to be
removed,” said an event organizer Leah Cox, 48, a Wenatchee business
owner.
The protest was one of 234 nationwide organized by the political-action
group World Can’t Wait. The group lobbies for the president’s
impeachment and an end to U.S. involvement in the wars in Iraq and
Afghanistan.
“Last year I was the only one protesting, and now there are many,” said
Doris Rowley, 71, another organizer of Thursday’s event and a familiar
sight to Wenatchee motorists as she waves anti-Bush and anti-war signs
weekly from spots around the city.
Waving signs with slogans like “Love the Troops. Hate the War” and
“Support our country. Bring our troops home alive, now,” demonstrators
waved at motorists who occasionally responded with honks.
“Someone just gave me a crippled peace sign,” said protester Kathleen
Cullison, 50, of a pro-Bush motorist who flashed “the finger.”
Vietnam vet Jerry Schlaman, 59, of Wenatchee was there with his wife,
Peggy Love, 61. Both said they hope to organize a Wenatchee chapter of
the national group, Veterans for Peace.
“I’m not a pacifist, but I don’t believe in going to war for no
reason,” he said. “If we’re going to fight a war, let’s fight a war for
a just cause and not on somebody’s whim.”
Jim Allyn, 50, of Wenatchee did a double-duty protest — he carried a
sign like most of the rest of the group. But the message also extended
to his T-shirt: “War begins with dubya.”