Seattle, Washington

Ten thousand people, maybe more, took to the streets in downtown Seattle on Saturday, as part of the global March 20 protest against the war in Iraq. It was one of the larger demonstrations of more than 250 that took place in cities, suburbs and small towns all over the US on the first anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

Seattle had a strong presence from military families. Alberto Salazar carried a sign saying "Parents of a Marine - Give Peace a Chance," and told reporters his son's experience in Iraq "was not good. He feels there is no sense in this whole thing. He wanted to serve his country for a good cause, not pre-emptive attacks on a nation."

Vicky Monk, an active member of Military Families Speak Out, carried a big "Bring Them Home Now!" sign (visible behind the main banner in the small photo) and was featured in the lead paragraph of the Seattle Times coverage of the march. She told the reporter of her fears for her son Tim, in Iraq almost a year now:

"In the crowd, Vicky Monk, echoing the fears of countless military parents, said when she drives home each evening, she fears that an Army car will be waiting in her driveway, and a remorseful soldier will step out and tell her that her only son is dead."

One of the most electrifying speeches was given by a very recent veteran, retired Navy Lt. John Oliveira of Darrington, OR. He ended his 21 year Navy career in January because his conscience was bothering him. Oliviera told the crowd that as an official Navy spokesman on the USS Theodore Roosevelt, he had had to defend the war to the news media, even though he didn't believe what he was saying. He quit, and now can tell the truth to the American people.

updated 26 march 2004