Mar 20, 2008

Five war-torn years

Anti-war activists protest and mark anniversary of Iraq conflict

By Mark Abramson / Daily News Staff Writer

Anti-war activists in San Mateo and along the Peninsula marked the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq by lining El Camino Real to protest the conflict.

As similar demonstrations unfolded across the country, protesters in San Mateo carried signs adorned with peace symbols and ones that read "Bring Home the Troops" and "Impeachment is Patriotic." Peace Action of San Mateo County organized the San Mateo rally with the help of other groups.

Several participants at Wednesday's demonstration said they supported a measured troop withdrawal, thought President Bush's troop surge strategy was a failure and that Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama was suited for the job of ending the conflict.

"I think there should be some effort to get the troops out as soon as possible with the best results," said San Mateo resident Bob Hardy, 43, who attended the rally with his wife, Vail, and their two young children.

The Hardys agreed that a troop withdrawal has to be planned or the consequences could be disastrous, such as a civil war. Vail, 39, said she already believes Iraq is in the midst of a civil war.

"I'm so angry we started this for no reason," she said. "You can't just go in and mess with a country and say 'Have an election' and go away."

But protester Ken Gonzalez, 58, said he saw no problem bringing the troops home immediately and added that he thinks the Iraqis can settle their differences peacefully and without a civil war.

"Put (the troops) in a truck and bring them home (right away)," said Gonzalez, a resident of San Carlos.

For one Iraq war veteran who did not take part in the San Mateo rally, the protesters' actions Wednesday were difficult to stomach. Andrew Sofnick, who said he is against the conflict, said such protests lower troop morale and that activists could put their time to better use by writing their elected officials.

"I guess it makes me a little upset that (the protesters) would do that," the Burlingame resident said. "I know they are not really protesting the troops, but it kind of feels like they are."

Sofnick dodged gunfire, rocket-propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices while serving as an Army infantryman in Iraq between December 2003 and October 2004. Sofnick said he is friends with someone who lost an arm and knows another person who lost a leg in the war.

"Morale was low then, and I'm sure it stinks now," he said. "It's not like World War II where there was a clear purpose."

Like many of the anti-war demonstrators, though, Sofnick supports withdrawing the troops, but only if the Iraqis are trained to handle security in their country to stem the ethnic and religious violence.

Several participants at Wednesday's rally also said Obama is their pick for president because he would end the war and help facilitate peace in the Middle East.

"I think he would be more serious about talking to Iran," said Peace Action president Mike Caggiano, adding that he believes Obama is more progressive than the other candidates.

For Gonzalez, the Illinois politician seems the most trustworthy.

"He is inspirational," Gonzalez said. "He would have a drawdown and pull (the troops) out eventually."

Iraq war veteran Sofnick said Arizona Sen. John McCain is his choice for president when it comes to the future of the war.

"He would give it a little more time to get things done," Sofnick said.

Opinions also differed over the effectiveness of the president's decision to send an additional 20,000 troops to Iraq in January 2007. Sofnick said it was an effective strategy for reducing bloodshed.

The Hardys disagreed. "I had hoped it would have a positive impact," Bob Hardy said.

Gonzalez called the strategy a "complete failure," and added that the thought of sending more troops to Iraq saddened him.

Caggiano said he was pleased with the rally's turnout, which he estimated at 60 to 70 people. The activists were getting more honks of support than middle fingers from people who supported the war, he said.

"I think it is a cumulative effect, like the Vietnam War," Caggiano said of the rally's impact.



E-mail Mark Abramson at mabramson@dailynewsgroup.com.