http://www.google.com/ig?hl=enhold downtown demonstration
2007-12-18
IRAQ WAR VETERANS HOLD DOWNTOWN DEMONSTRATIONKOAA-TV
COLORADO SPRINGS -- On the corner of Bijou and Tejon in downtown Colorado Springs, members of the organization 'Veterans against the Iraq War" sit a top a mock guard tower. Organizer Mark Wilkerson says, "We're watching over the community, just like we watched over Iraq." He and the other demonstrators are trying to send a message. One of the veterans, who requested to remain anonymous says, "Its our right to speak out against what we feel is wrong."
The group of veterans wants the war in Iraq ended and more. Wilkerson says, "Withdraw all troops, two, take care of veterans when they get home and three, pay reparations to the Iraqi people for damage we've done to their country."
Wilkerson is a 2002 graduate of Widefield high school. After he graduated he joined the Army and served in Iraq in 2003. When he returned from his first tour, though, he wanted out. He applied for conscientious objector status, but was denied. Wilkerson then went AWOL for a year and a half, before spending five months in a military prison. He says he was for the war when he first deployed, but after returning strongly opposed it. "Based on what I saw there, experiences with raids and the general treatment of the people, it seemed to me that we were not doing any good."
The demonstration, which sat on the edge of Acacia Park seemed to attract a lot of attention. Not all the attention, though, was positive. Marine Colonel Matthew Bogdanos says, "All freedoms have limits." He didn't oppose the veteran's stance on the war, but he said what they were doing was wrong. Mainly, because they were all wearing uniforms. Bogdanos says, "They are using the uniform to make their case and under any calculus that's wrong."
The Veterans argue wearing their old uniforms, helps drive home their message. Wilkerson says, "There are a lot of veterans right now who are tired of seeing everything going on...you know and people need to speak with vets and listen to veterans because we have a lot to say."
'Veterans against the Iraq War' is a national organization with about 800 members, according to Wilkerson. The group plans to stay at Acacia park through Sunday.