Patriotism and dissent unite at Boston anti-war rally

The Boston anti-war rally last Saturday attracted thousands of protesters, many of whom expressed visible and vocal patriotic sentiments. The rally highlighted a pro-America, anti Bush attitude that has been growing among war opponents since the United States' attack on Iraq began.

Protestors began the rally at Boston Common before marching through blocked-off streets of the Back Bay area. The police presence ensured a peaceful atmosphere for the rally.

The prevalence of American Flags was one of many aspects of the rally that differed from the protests that occurred before military action in Iraq began. Waving red, white, and blue, and hundreds of signs illustrating support for US troops demonstrated a new patriotic shift in the anti-war movement.

"The protests before the war centralized around anger towards the US government," said a protester on Saturday. "Now, people are showing that they do not agree with US actions, but are not by any means anti-American. We need to demonstrate that dissent is not unpatriotic."

Small demonstrations of pro-war supporters gathered at various points along the march to voice their opposing views. They argued for the public's need to support the United States government and army.

"Protesting the war now is a lot different than a few months ago," said Mark Rogerson, a pro-war demonstrator. "Now is the time to support your country and your troops. Men and women are risking their lives in our name; it's times like these when showing support is most important."

Pro-war protestors wore t-shirts emblazoned with the American flag and held hundreds of signs displaying massive support for US troops.

Other pro-war demonstrators support the nobility of the US' actions in attempting to replace a corrupt government with an established democracy.

But many anti-war protestors felt that these pro-war demonstrators were supporting democracy elsewhere, while in the process challenging its fundamental applications at home.

"The United States is supposed to be the prime example for a democratic government. When our right to protest and to voice our opinions is challenged, it is violating the principles which democracy is founded on," said Sarah Arkin, a Tufts student and anti-war protestor who was present.

A greater range in the age of protest participants is another sign that the anti-war movement is evolving in other respects as well. Saturday's protest saw families, young children, and elderly people in addition to the mainly student-based group that has been rallying since September.

"You're noticing a much fuller spectrum of ages represented now compared to a few months ago," said Adam Aslan, a Tufts student who has attended many antiwar protests throughout the year. The spectrum of ages can be attributed to the increased media attention being given to the war, he said.

With high attendance and an increasingly diverse population of protesters, the antiwar movement does not appear to be slowing down. However, some of those involved in the movement are questioning what steps to take next.

Anti-war protestors should focus primarily on spreading the anti-war message and educating the public said Phil Martin, a Tufts student involved in the movement. "I don't think it's probable that the movement will stop the war," he said. "But if we can get people to start realizing that what their leaders are doing is unjust and wrong, then we will be able to accomplish something and start to move society in the right direction."