Crosses of Lafayette: Protesting Bush's Escalation

Photo by John Eaton

Here is the post from Katherine Tam about tonight's protest of Bush's escalation held at the Crosses of Lafayette:

Protesters hold vigil at Lafayette war memorial
By Katherine Tam
CONTRA COSTA TIMES

LAFAYETTE - At least 300 anti-war protesters, fueled by President Bush's plan to dispatch more troops to Iraq, gathered Thursday night at a Lafayette memorial to call for an end to the war.

"The way to support them is to bring them home," said Lynda Robertson, a Pittsburg resident. Bush's plan "troubled me greatly. He's going backward from what we need."

The 1,200 crosses that blanket the privately-owned hillside across from the BART station have become a gathering spot for those opposed to the war. Members of the group MoveOn acted quickly to organize a candlelight vigil here the day after Bush unveiled his plan to send 20,000 more troops to Iraq and called for the Iraqi government to bolster forces as well.

The vigil was largely peaceful. One man hollered "filthy traitors" from a passing car, but most drivers honked in support or stared expressionless from behind the wheel.

Walnut Creek resident Jackie Pells, whose friend's grandson Alan Blohm died in Iraq, arrived with a lighter to light candles beside the crosses.

"Fifty-four years ago, we graduated from high school together," Pells said. "It was the Korean War at the time and what have we learned?"

Lafayette resident Karel Uehara's 5-year-old was a baby when Uehara helped organize a protest in Richmond. The turnout was much smaller then -- about 20 or 30 people -- and some passersby were less open to their message, he said. The response in Lafayette Thursday night was much more receptive, he added.

The display, which includes a handful of Jewish Stars of David and Islamic crescents, has grown substantially since it went up over Veteran's Day weekend. Organizers have added new crosses weekly, and plan to place 200 more every Sunday until there is one for each of the more than 3,000 dead U.S. soldiers, said organizer Jeff Heaton.

The crosses and the large sign stating the number of soldiers killed in Iraq ignited an emotional debate immediately after they were installed. An angry passerby tore down the sign on the second day. Organizers put it back up.

Then in late December, someone covered the sign with a black substance thought to be paint. Organizers replaced the sign on Christmas Eve and have since added an electric-powered neon sign with the number of dead soldiers that is visible at night.

Public debate has centered mostly on whether the display is an appropriate tribute to fallen troops, but the city has focused on whether the sign meets the law or is too big. The city attorney is reviewing the matter.

The display is organized by Heaton, the Lamorinda Peace Group and members of the Mount Diablo Peace and Justice Center in Walnut Creek.

"It gives us a connection," Robertson said. "We stay isolated in our daily lives. It helps us grasp the immensity of it."