Reno peace activists protest military recruiting

Saturday, May 7, 2005 | 10:20 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - A group of about 25 peace activists gathered outside a cluster of military recruitment centers in Reno to protest recruiting tactics.

The protesters called for recruiters to be banned from local schools and colleges, and accused them of "preying" on young people with offers of cash and education funding.

"They prey on people who don't have other options and we think it's wrong," said Stewart Stout, 20, a student at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno. "We basically want to send a message that we don't want to be their cannon fodder."

Similar protests are being held across the country.

Activists waved placards at passing motorists from a sidewalk in front of an East Moana Lane shopping mall, where the Army, Marines and Air Force have recruiting offices.

Only the Air Force office was open during the protest, but a recruiter in that office declined comment.

Army public affairs officers did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Some motorists honked to show support for protesters, while others weren't as friendly.

"If it wasn't for the war, you couldn't be there protesting. Go Bush!" a man yelled.

Protester Lisa Stiller, whose 23-year-old son serves with the Army in South Korea, said recruiters are "throwing money at kids" to get them to enlist longer.

A tape-recorded message at the Army recruiting office in Sparks notes an offer of $70,000 for college or a $20,000 enlistment bonus.

"There needs to be more alternatives for kids than the military," Stiller said. "There needs to be a federal community service program. We're a militaristic society and we need to be more peace-oriented."

The Army missed its recruiting goal in April, marking the third consecutive monthly shortfall.