BREAKING: Iraq vets win offer to read letter to delegates

[The Sushi Bandit]

Source: Rocky Mountain News

MARKET AND SPEER -- Iraq War veterans who led a march through the streets of Denver won a meeting with a liaIson from Sen. Barack Obama's campaign.

The news ended a tense standoff between the veterans and riot police near and entrance to the convention, and brought tears to the eyes of several vets.

"I figured as long as we kept things peaceful, they would hear us, and they did," said Jeffrey Wood, an Army vet who served in stateside.

There has been no time set for the meeting. The group, who oppose the Iraq War, want to read a letter addressed to Sen. Barack Obama.

Police have dispatched hundreds of riot police to the scene, some standing on elevated platforms and armored vehicles.

The group is part of a large demonstration that left a Rage Against the Machine concert at the Denver Coliseum.



Read more: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/27/iraq-vets-win-offer-read-letter-delegates/

[gateley]

I'm glad Obama will meet with them --

and he's in agreement, he's against the war in Iraq, too!

[sce56]

12. How about a picture to go with that

http://election411.org/article/id/3527103/iraq-veterans-against-war-stage-demonstrations|Free Speech Radio News reports live from the Freedom Cage>

Davey D reports live from outside the DNC in the "Freedom Cage," the free speech zone designated by the City of Denver that's nearly a half-mile from where the delegates are in the Pepsi Center. The Coup and Rage Against the Machine put on a concert, after which thousands of people - members of Iraq Vets Against the War and others - marched across downtown Denver.

Davey describes the "Freedom Cage" as a "fenced in playpen" - all the protesters are hemmed in by tall fences and under guard by many mounted police officers.

Over the past few days, Denver police have roughed up and tear-gassed a few protesters, but Davey reports that arrests appear unlikely at tonight's protest.





Wow 12th post & rec!

Photo of the "Freedom Cage" by Rocky Mountain News Photos

[bbernardini]

1. You know, I was thinking on my way home today...

"I wonder if Rage Against The Machine will be performing near either convention."

[The Sushi Bandit]

3. Here is the video from the concert

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=176451&mesg_id=176451

[The Sushi Bandit]

4. Here is the video from the concert

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=385&topic_id=176451&mesg_id=176451

[pamela]

5. They're performing near BOTH conventions.

It will be interesting to see what happens next week.

[stevil]

7. They will be in St. Paul as well.

[BlooInBloo]

2. I am the Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria...

The noose and the rapist, the fields overseer

The agents of orange, the priests of Hiroshima

The cost of my desire - sleep now in the fire!



Gawd I love rage.

[Zhade]

9. I think I love you.

:p

[BlooInBloo]

10. awww!

:hug:

[magellan]

6. That's great! I hope they hang around.

I don't like to think they've been given a meeting only to make them quit their peaceful protest outside the convention, but the cynic in me says that played into the decision.

[zbdent]

8. Somehow, I don't think these Iraq Vets are afraid of the hometown bullies

who decided to enlist in the police force instead of serving their country ... these police have proven they're capable against peaceful smaller women protesters ...

[hootinholler]

11. That cop has been removed from protest duty.

There was an update thread in GD. I don't know if there will be further investigation or not.

-Hoot

[guruoo]

13. Here's the letter...

A Letter to Barack Obama

August 25, 2008
Senator Barack Obama
C/O Democratic National Convention Committee
1560 Broadway
Denver, CO 80202

Senator Obama,

In your campaign for the Presidency of the United States of America, you have clearly presented yourself as the anti-war candidate, dedicated to change in trying times. Senator Obama, millions of Americans are looking to you to restore our country’s good name and reputation around the world, beginning with righting the wrongs of the war-driven Bush administration.

Iraq Veterans Against the War is the only organization consisting of active duty service members and veterans of the Global War On Terror committed to ending the occupation of Iraq. We believe that a responsible withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq should include:

1. The immediate withdrawal of all occupying forces from Iraq.
2. Full and adequate health care and benefits to all returning service members and veterans.
3. Reparations made to the Iraqi people for the destruction caused by the U.S. war and occupation.

Senator Obama, we realize that a man in your position has a very tedious schedule during the Democratic National Convention. However, we feel that a Presidential candidate dedicated to an anti-war platform should have no objections to the goals of our organization. Indeed, Senator Obama, in these ominous times, you symbolize the hope for a better America.

Therefore, we request at this time that you endorse the three tenets of Iraq Veterans Against the War if you so wish to represent the anti-war constituency of our country.

Further, in the spirit of grassroots democracy that you praise as the means of change in American society, we will be marching non-violently on Wednesday, August 27. Our march will hold accountable the Democratic Party for their initial and continued support for the illegal occupation of Iraq. We urge you to demonstrate your commitment to change by working with veterans and service members dedicated to ending the occupation of Iraq.

We will await your response to our proposal until 3:00 PM Wednesday, August 27.

Mobilized for Peace,
Iraq Veterans Against the War

http://ivaw.org/obama_letter

[mmonk]

14. This makes me happy. Thanks.

[midnight]

15. I'm so glad that these folks have not been called Anarchist.

I've read that term here this week to discribe those who are protesting at this convention.