2/15/2003
ROGERS PARK AGAINST THE WAR

Stop attacks on immigrants! NO to war abroad!"

Saturday, February 15th saw Chicago's demonstration against the war in Iraq going right down Devon Avenue on a freezing Saturday afternoon. Devon Avenue, where the third world meets your world and mine, was the right place for a march like this. It is the heart of Chicago's Indian/Pakistani/Jewish/Russian/Croation community.

There were more than 80 peace, justice, and people's organizations there for the rally and then the march down Devon. The rally linked up with events in New York and London and similar actions in over 480 cities worldwide.

People from Palatine and Palestine were marching on Devon, opposing the war in Iraq and discrimination against immigrants at home. There were church folks from United Church of Rogers Park and St. Gertrude's, Wobblies, gay rights groups, Pakistanis, Indians, ladies in Moslem robes with little kids, Hispanic groups, Black youth groups, students from Loyola and De Paul and UIC.

Some people came in busses from five states. There was a swelling stream of people with signs walking from the Loyola el. A steady drumbeat was coming from a group of young guys with bass and snare drums who knew the drill. A New Age woman joined them with an old Irish drum decorated with ribbons. There was Ravenswood for Peace, Andersonville for Peace, Logan Square for Peace and people from five surrounding states. The Chicago Professional Taxi Cab Drivers Association was there. They are on Devon every day. AFSCME with a banner and some folks from SEIU represented labor, as did Chicago Labor Against the War.

There was a guy in a George Bush mask using a microphone to lead chants of "Exxon, Mobile, BP Shell, Take your war and go to hell." There were people wrapped in plastic sheeting and duct tape. There were people who didn't even wear hats in the freezing cold but they stuck with it. Someone tried "All we are saying is give peace a chance," but chanting was more successful than the singing.

Speakers against the war included Joe Moore, the Rogers Park Alderman who initiated the City Council peace resolution. He was back from a trip to Washington where he had tried to turn it in to the White House with people from many other US cities. Kathleen Desautels, from the 8th Day Center for Justice, about to go off to jail for three months for anti war activities, was ready to go and ready to tell the crowd why.

Not in Our Name, a primarily Jewish group concerned about Justice for the Palestinians talked about the oppression of their own ancestors, who also faced rejection as immigrants, and Not in Our Name's opposition to their oppression.

Shopkeepers on Devon watched and some waived back or gave the V sign. People living above the shops watched out the windows with children. One of the chants was "No more fear, immigrants are welcome here." The marchers filled blocks and blocks of Devon.

Police were on horse back at Western Avenue. They looked cold. The horses looked cold. The marchers were warmed by sticking close to one another. Western Avenue was backed up for a mile, with surprised drivers who didn't expect this. Some honked in support; some looked stunned. Even the planners didn't expect such a big turnout. When it was over the Devon shops and restaurants filled up again with all the people coming in from the cold.