Sunday, January 19, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Cries of patriotism echo across Strip during rally

Cliff Alarcon, 34, of Las Vegas, holds a sign protesting possible U.S. war with Iraq while the fountains at Bellagio perform to Lee Greenwood's "Proud To Be An American." Photo by Amy Beth Bennett. A demonstrator gives Pfc. Owen Shropshire, 22, stationed at Twenty-nine Palms, Calif., the peace sign during Saturday's antiwar rally on the Strip. Photo by Amy Beth Bennett.

The protesters who marched on the Strip had just returned to the sidewalk in front of Bellagio's fountains Saturday afternoon when "The Star-Spangled Banner" came blasting from the resort's speakers.

The antiwar chants ceased, and many of the demonstrators tucked their placards into the crook of their arm.

Most of them then placed their right hand over their hearts, lifted their left hand above them in a peace sign and sang the national anthem.

"We're not anti-American," said the Rev. Phil Hausknecht, a Lutheran minister who spoke against a U.S. invasion of Iraq during the rally. "We're patriots protesting American foreign policy. Patriotism means calling for change in your government when it's needed."

About 300 joined in a noon rally and subsequent march that was organized by a coalition of local groups to protest the increasingly likely prospect of war with Iraq. They chanted "No blood for oil," sang "We Shall Overcome" and "Give Peace a Chance," and carried signs with phrases such as "George, Don't Kill For Me."

Many protesters in their teens and 20s said they were against invading Iraq but had trouble articulating their reasoning for that viewpoint beyond saying they believed all war is wrong.

"Unless they attacked us, and then we'd have the right to defend ourselves," said Joe Sutphin, 17, a Coronado High School junior who came to the protest with friends.

But interviews with more than 30 older participants revealed a group of Las Vegans who had strikingly diverse opinions about the issue. Many marchers said they actually supported military force against Iraq under certain conditions.

Several said they would support war if the United States had the backing of the international community.

"I'm against unilateral action," said marcher Helen Jones, 53, an administrator with the Community College of Southern Nevada. "And if we're the only ones going in, we're going to have to occupy Iraq for who knows how long."

Echoing the comments of several of the marchers, 70-year-old retired factory worker Fran Senancik said she was holding out hope for a peaceful diplomatic resolution through the United Nations. But she said she would support the United States going it alone if evidence is uncovered showing Iraq represents a danger to Americans.

"But we haven't found any chemical weapons yet," Senancik said.

Several said they were dead-set against the war, but not because they're idealistic peaceniks.

Local businessman Daniel Bell said he believed a war against Iraq would have a devastating economic effect on the country, an impact that would be especially negative to Las Vegas.

"If you're going to spend $200 billion invading Iraq, that money's got to come from somewhere," said Bell, 56. "That's money that should be going to domestic problems."

Many protesters said they feared taking action against Iraq would lead to more terrorist attacks from Islamic fundamentalists. Some said they would support unilateral action against Saddam Hussein's forces if the U.S. government became more effective at preventing future terrorist attacks.

"I know if we attack them we're going to have more attacks like September 11th," said Janie Graza, a 49-year-old Las Vegan. "We haven't done enough to protect ourselves."

Some said they felt it was still unclear why the United States should strike against Iraq.

"Our family supported the war on terrorism and going into Afghanistan," said Debbie Kinsora, 41, a substitute teacher for the Clark County School District who was marching with her husband and 9-year-old daughter. "But we understood why we were doing that. We're not sure why we're going after Iraq. A lot of Americans don't."

During the throng's march from Bellagio to the Tropicana and back, a few cars honked in support and a few passers-by hurled taunts.

Tourist Dick Sweeney was angered by an antiwar protester who told him to "remember peace."

"I remember September 11th!" Sweeney yelled back at the young man.

In a subsequent interview, Sweeney said he believes the Iraqi regime is linked to al-Qaida and terrorism against the United States.

"These weapons inspections are a joke," said Sweeney, a salesman from Mansfield, Ohio. "We should already be in there."

Many others also drew connections between Iraq and terrorism and portrayed a possible invasion as vengeance for the suicide hijackings that killed nearly 3,000 Americans.

"We better act now unless you want to see these beautiful casino buildings come down with planes crashing into them," said Mike Schmitt, a soccer player from San Diego.

Only one person was arrested during the event. Las Vegas police Sgt. Victor Dumas said officers apprehended a man who emerged from a vehicle with a knife and threatened protesters. He was booked into the Clark County Detention Center.