[Dryerase] Asheville joins people worldwide to say, ‘Not in Our Name’

[Asheville Global Report]

Asheville joins people worldwide to say, ‘Not in Our Name’

By Shane Elliott and Kendra Sarvadi

Asheville, North Carolina, Oct. 8 (AGR)--  Sunday, Oct. 6 marked the 
anniversary eve of the day that US bombs began falling on Afghanistan, as 
well as the day that the United States government declared war on people’s 
rights at home. Peace activists across the US and around the world 
participated in an international day of resistance, embracing the theme 
“Not In Our Name” as a call to action to all conscious citizens tired of 
war as a quick and simple-minded ‘answer’ to complex world problems.
Around 150 concerned citizens of Asheville packed the area in front of the 
Vance monument on Oct. 6 to listen to speakers and songs, to express their 
opposition to war, and to call for peace. The activists were from a diverse 
range of ethnic, religious, and economic backgrounds, as well as of a 
variety of ages. Small children danced while members of the activist 
community led alternately in singing and addressing the crowd with facts 
about the illegitimacy of the current war on Iraq, the US’s dependence on 
Middle Eastern oil, and Bush’s corporate greed-based policies of world 
domination.
“This is the first time I’ve come out to protest anything 
 my sign says, 
‘Could it be we are the evildoers?’ and from what I’ve seen of this 
government we pretty much are 
 I think we’re bordering on facism,” said 
Marsten, one of Sunday’s participants.
Asheville resident Anne Craig, who organized the demonstration, said she 
was pleased with the turnout.
“The goal was for people to leave feeling hopeful, that we can cause 
positive change, and stop this war machine that threatens our survival,” 
said Craig.
Many participants indicated that  the presence of one counter-demonstrator 
aside  the response from passers-by had been overwhelmingly supportive.
“Everyone who drove by was honking and waving 
 some people who drove by 
saw the signs, and stopped and got out and stood with us and asked for 
signs
” said Barry, another participant.
“I think all the talk of the war has, so far, obscured the main issues 
 to 
say that it’s just about oil is kind of simplistic, but that’s the core 
issue. America wants to dominate and control the Middle East. 
 They’ve 
been trying hard to find any way to connect Iraq with 9-11, and there is no 
connection 
bin Laden and his network don’t work with with Iraq; they’re 
fundamentalists and Hussein has been trying to crush the fundamentalists in 
his own country for years 
  The Bush administration has been trying to use 
what happened to us a year ago as an excuse to further the oil agenda,” he 
added.