Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

Peace Demonstration Marks War Anniversary

Another Demonstration Planned for April 16

Story by Kathleen McFadden

“I wanted to do something to feel at some level that I’m heard,” Zan Landowne said. “I’ve written several letters to Virginia Foxx and I don’t think she listens to the little people, just to big money. Coming her made me feel visible.”

Landowne was one of the peace demonstrators who gathered in front of U.S. Representative Virginia Foxx’s Boone office on the Highway 105 Extension on Monday to protest the United States’ continuing war in Iraq.

Monday, March 19, marked the fourth anniversary of the Iraq invasion. The High Country has a personal stake in the war, with members of the National Guard 1451st Transportation Company deployed to Iraq last year and still in the country because their tour was extended. As of March 21, 3,223 U.S. soldiers have died in the war, and at least 24,187 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon.

President Bush remains committed to the effort, despite increasing congressional resistance to the war and polls showing that support for the war continues to decline. An NBC/Wall Street Journal poll conducted March 2 to 5 showed that 69 percent of the 1,007 adults polled are less confident the Iraq war will come to a successful conclusion, and House Democrats are introducing a war-spending bill this week that would effectively require the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq by fall 2008.

Foxx too has continued to express her support of the war effort, maintaining, “The war in Iraq is critical to the Global War on Terror and we must continue to fight and defend against the terrorists there as much as at home. We must maintain our efforts to provide security and stability for the Iraqi government and its people until they are able to do so themselves. We cannot walk away or we will face increased bloodshed at home and abroad.”

The peace demonstrators who gathered on Monday do not agree with President Bush or Representative Foxx.

“I’m totally opposed to this war, and any protests we can make, especially in front of Virginia Foxx’s office, make a statement,” said Diane Graham.

Carole Hatch, whose son is an active-duty Marine, commented, “I was at the protest four years ago protesting our entry into the war. I think it’s a preemptive strike and unnecessary. I mourn for the lives lost and the lives ruined.”

Loren Carty said, “Watauga County does not support this war and Virginia Foxx has an office in Watauga County. We are here to demand her to represent her constituency and bring the troops home.”

“I’m out here because I think this is a ridiculous war—any war is, really,” said Elizabeth West. “I’m opposed to the entire system we have set up and I really believe we need to keep it local, while thinking globally of course. At this point, community collectives can provide support for one another if we’re willing.”

Michael Denslow commented, “Virginia Foxx has never responded and I’ve written her dozens of times. I don’t think she’s in a place of being rational and listening to constituents. I reject the idea that if you oppose the war that you don’t support the troops. It’s not fair to be that divisive. The local media needs to do more to take her to task, ask the hard questions and get the answers. For every person here, there are five to ten who wish they were here.”

Along with banners, flags and a flower-bedecked peace symbol, the protesters also had an individual paper flower for each North Carolinian killed in Iraq. The soldier’s name and date of death were attached to the flower.

The group is planning another demonstration on Monday April 16, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. outside of Foxx's office across from the Subaru dealership on Highway 105 Extension.