Anti-war protesters march in Reno to mark Iraq anniversary

Saturday, March 17, 2007 | 11:25 a.m.

RENO, Nev. - Anti-war protesters marched in Reno to take part in a nationwide demonstration marking the fourth anniversary of the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Chanting "Impeach Bush" and "USA-Out of Iraq," about 150 activists gathered for peaceful rallies at both the start and end of the one-mile walk from Pickett Park to the federal building in Reno.

While they received a mostly positive response from passing motorists, protesters said they were disappointed by the turnout. A similar anniversary protest drew about 400 people a year ago in Reno.

"It's disheartening that not more people are out here," said organizer Allison Daines, 23, granddaughter of late Republican state Controller Darrel Daines. "They need to park their cars and stand with us."

Veteran activist Beverly Cook of Reno said she thought the crowd would be four or fives times bigger.

"If people aren't motivated now to get out of Iraq, what will it take?" she asked. "Is the turnout low because this area is so Republican?"

The event, sponsored by a group called Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, drew no counter-demonstrators. At last year's anniversary protest in Reno, about 20 to 25 Bush administration supporters exchanged chants and taunts with peace activists.

Vietnam veteran Dave Gustafson, 59, of Fallon, said the psychological effect of war on U.S. troops is being overlooked.

"It just sickens me that we have a whole new generation (of troops) who have to live with this the rest of their lives," the former Marine said. "Once you see combat, it's with you forever. My main thing after Vietnam is to stop war."

John Hadder of the Reno Anti-War Coaliton said support for the anti-war movement continues to build as the cost of the conflict mounts in terms of both lives and money.

"After all these deaths of tens of thousands of Americans and Iraqis, we demand our government stop this useless war," he said.