Former Soldiers Who Served In Iraq Speak Out Against War In Fayetteville NC

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http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=257392

Protests to air war views

By Paul Woolverton
Staff writer
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Abernathy

Peace activists brought out men in uniform on Friday to promote today’s anti-war protest at Rowan Park. At a news conference at the Quaker House, seven former soldiers — four wearing camouflage shirts from their military service — called for the United States to withdraw its forces from Iraq.

One of the men was former Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Paul Abernathy, who said he served in Iraq in 2003 and 2004 as a combat engineer. “It does disturb me that four years later I still see Americans fighting for the same pieces of real estate that I fought for four years ago, and accomplishing nothing,” he said. Iraq was invaded under false pretenses, he said.

Iraq is riven by a civil war now, Abernathy said. He believes the U.S. presence contributes to the country’s instability. “Our troops need to come home, and once they do, we need to remember Iraq and be sure we give reparations for the damage we’ve caused that country,” he said.

Two demonstrations are planned today in Fayetteville: The anti-war protest and a counter-protest.

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