March 30, 2003 Protesters continue downtown 'die-ins' By JENNIFER GOLLAN More than 300 demonstrators against the war in Iraq marched through the center of Santa Barbara on Saturday under the watchful eye of legal observers, shoppers, and police in riot gear. The protesters marched from Vera Cruz Park and looped around downtown, up and then down State Street, with "die-ins" -- meant to represent war casualties -- at main intersections along the way. The procession of American flags, peace signs and acrobats on stilts, as well as the occasional baby stroller, ended peacefully back where it had begun with little disruption, save for diverted traffic and tour buses. Crowd estimates varied. Chris Omer, 24, one of the rally's organizers, said about 500 to 700 people turned out. Santa Barbara Police Officer K. W. Wojchiehoski estimated about 300 to 400 people. Protesters chanted "Bush out now!" and "Peace now!" in what was a modest affair compared to rallies in the first three days after war started, when arrests were made as protesters attempted to march onto Highway 101. Saturday, marchers sounded sirens intermittently to simulate air raids, the signal for activists to lie on the ground for die-ins. "We are all one people," said Tina Kerrigan, 44, as she lay on the ground. "By killing Iraqis, we are killing our people." Others agreed. "We think Bush is making the biggest mistake of his life," said a 64-year-old Santa Barbara veteran who asked not to be named. More than eight members of the Santa Barbara Legal Observers followed the crowd, speaking into tape recorders to document police interaction with the activists. Natasha Todorvic, the group's organizer, declined comment. Yolanda Garcia, the manager of Long's Drugs on lower State Street, said she has grown accustomed to the marches, which have run for 28 weekends. "Business is not affected," she said. Some observers, however, did take offense. Andy Sklar, a 22-year-old Westmont College student and a cadet major in the Air Force, sat in uniform at Ruby's Cafe on State Street, watching the protest. "They don't appreciate the freedom they've been given," he said. "There is a lack of education out there." No arrests were made during the two-hour demonstration, said Sgt. Jim Pfleging of the Santa Barbara Police Department. |
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