The chants echoed down Northwest Highway in northwest suburban Palatine this afternoon.Close to seventy people ranging in age from over 80 down to grade school age participated to the first demonstration called by Northwest Suburban SUSTAIN (Stop U.S. Tax-Funded Aid To Israel Now!)
since the group was founded in mid-August.

Caller: ATTACK IRAQ?
Crowd : NO!
Caller: ATTACK IRAQ?
Crowd : NOT IN OUR NAME!
Caller: ATTACK IRAQ?
Crowd : OUR GRIEF IS NOT A CRY FOR WAR!

As the chants were shouted, drivers honked their horns in support of the demonstration and many lowered their car windows to give a "thumbs-up" message when many would have thought that the middle finger salute would be seen. There
were at least four people that parked their cars and joined
those lining Northwest Highway.

Caller: NO BLOOD FOR OIL!
Crowd : NO BLOOD FOR OIL!
Caller: END THE OCCUPATION!
Crowd : END THE OCCUPATION!
Caller: FREE, FREE PALESTINE!
Crowd : FREE, FREE PALESTINE!

Although the direct action was called to oppose a U.S. attack on Iraq, many of the signs and chants were in support of the Palestinian struggle for self-determination.
Participants from the Arab and Muslim community seemed that
they were bolstered by the support of people from other
communities willing to take their politics to the street.
In addition to the Muslims and Arabs,the crowd had Christ-ians, Jews, agonistics and atheists in attendance.

Caller: TAX DOLLARS FOR HUMAN NEEDS
Crowd : NOT FOR WAR!
Caller: TAX DOLLARS FOR EDUCATION
Crowd : NOT FOR WAR!
Calller: TAX DOLLARS FOR HEALTH CARE
Crowd : NOT FOR WAR!

Several people in the protest, including some students from Palatine High School, admitted that this was the first demonstration that they had ever taken part in. One of the
students helped lead chants when SUSTAIN coordinator, Kevin
Clark, needed a break from the bullhorn.

After an hour and a half of lining Northwest Highway at Volunteer Plaza, a rally was held with members of the crowd
invited to voice their opposition to the planned U.S. attack
on Iraq. With some coaxing by Clark, people began to step-up
to address the gathering. Among those that spoke was Anshu
Dewan, coordinator for the Amnesty International group in the northwest suburbs. Another speaker was a Palestinian woman from Chicago that spoke about her family and the occupation. There was also some great banjo playing during
the rally.

Caller: CATERPILLAR--DEMOLISHING PEACE!
Crowd : CORPORATE GREED
Caller: CATERPILLAR---DEMOLISHING PALESTINE
Crowd : CORPORATE CRIMINALS

Perhaps the most surprising thing for this oberver was the
reaction of the participants during the speech by Kevin Clark of SUSTAIN.It would have been my hunch that these suburban residents might have been put-off by a strong political rap that got into imperialism, civil disobedience,
and the expanding American empire. Instead of being alienated by the speech, they seemed to be in agreement with
the bulk of the presentation.

Caller : ISLAM IS NOT THE ENEMY!
Crowd : ISLAM IS NOT THE ENEMY!
Caller : DEFEND CIVIL LIBERTIES!
Crowd : STOP RACIAL PROFILING!

After the 30 minute rally, the demonstration ended but several stayed to talk one-on-one with each other for another 15-20 minutes. Some of those that stayed discussed
the possibility of organizations that they are members of
working in coalition with Northwest Suburban SUSTAIN on future protests. It would seem that radical politics have come to the northwest suburbs.