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Hernando Today

War Protestors Bound For Brooksville, Bushnell

EVENTS TO MARK FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF IRAQ INVASION

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By TONY MARRERO

Hernando Today

Published: March 17, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - BROOKSVILLE - Boots and children's shoes will line the courthouse steps on Wednesday as a solemn reminder of five years of war.
Activists from various groups that oppose the United States campaign in Iraq will gather from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of U.S. Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite's office on the fifth anniversary of the American invasion of the country.
They'll come bearing the footwear as a visual cue for military personnel and Iraqi civilians who have perished in the conflict, said Bettejo Indelicato, a Spring Hill resident and cofounder of the Florida Peace Action Network.
"It's important to remember this nation is engaged in a war, and that doesn't seem to be getting much news coverage lately," Indelicato said. "More than a million Iraqis have died, 4,000 servicemen have died and our country is facing tremendous social problems that we don't have the money to address because we're pouring money into the military industrial complex.
"We want to give a voice to those who are suffering both here and abroad because of this war," she said.
Among the some two dozen groups supporting the event are St. Pete for Peace, Tampa Veterans for Peace and the Florida chapter of the Progressive Democrats of America.
Some protestors are expected to refuel with lunch on the courthouse lawn before heading to Sen. Bill Nelson's Tampa office for a similar demonstration that begins at 4 p.m.
Indelicato said she did not have an estimate of the crowd expected here. However, because of the number of groups participating, she said, "I imagine that this will be the biggest antiwar demonstration Brooksville has seen."
One group taking part that is likely familiar to Hernando residents is the Nature Coast Coalition For Peace and Justice. Coalition members station themselves at the county's busiest intersections to demonstrate against the war.
With the presidential campaign in full swing, the action is more important than ever, said Brian Moore, the coalition's chairman.
"We really have to keep the pressure on," Moore said.
The activists had planned a sit-in at Brown-Waite's office, but some of the groups supporting the event balked, Moore and Indelicato said.
However, Indelicato said that tactic can't be ruled out in the future.
"(Politicians) are not listening to the public and, when that happens, civil, peaceable disobedience is the appropriate response," Indelicato said.
Police Chief George Turner said he has coordinated with the Hernando County Sheriff's Office and its courthouse security detail to monitor the event. Both agencies plan to call in a couple of extra staff members, Turner said.
He's been assured the protest will be peaceful. "We're not expecting any problems," Turner said.
Brown-Waite's office declined to comment Monday on the planned demonstration.
Ceremony planned for
Florida National Cemetery
The last time antiwar activists showed up at Florida National Cemetery, they were greeted by Veterans Affairs police and turned away.
This Saturday, things are expected to go differently, said Moore and Billy Murphy, director of operations for the cemetery.
The Nature Coast Coalition sponsor will hold what Moore called "a quiet ceremony" from noon to 1 p.m. at the cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave., Bushnell.
The vigil has been approved by cemetery officials, which was one of the problems last year when activists showed up, Murphy said Monday. Requests to hold services in the cemetery have to be made in writing, "no matter who the requests are coming from," Murphy said.
Moore said he also enlisted the help of the ACLU to help nudge the process along. He said cemetery officials had asked him to furnish a list of speakers and the nature of remarks. Moore declined the latter request, but still got the approval.
The group will not bring signs or banners, but will instead read the names of the U.S. personnel killed since the United States invaded Iraq. The cemetery does not conduct burials on Saturdays, he said.
"I think this was just a more bold act on our part, and at the risk of offending sensibilities, we felt we could conduct a vigil in a very respectful, civilized way," Moore said.
Murphy said he has no problem taking Moore at his word.
"We don't expect any issues," Murphy said. "I think his intent is to honor Iraq veterans."

Reporter Tony Marrero can be reached at 352-544-5286 or lmarrero@hernandotoday.com.

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