Peace forces take over recruiting center

[babylonsister]

http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/index.php?id=9434

Peace forces take over recruiting center

By Chris Hubbuch / Winona Daily News

WINONA, MN - Shortly after 1 p.m. Saturday, Mike Munson stood on the sidewalk in front of the U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Center at the Winona Mall, holding a sign that read “3,210 is too many.”

A parade of protesters rounded the corner, singing “gonna lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside.”

Army Sgt. 1st Class Troy Thompson stepped out of the recruiters office, locked the door behind him, and walked silently through the gathering throng of protesters.

Polly Gower climbed onto a stool and taped a hand-made sign over the existing one, and the U.S. Peace Forces Recruiting Center was unofficially open. A table on the sidewalk held an array of anti-war literature and pamphlets warning potential military recruits against enlistment.

Vic Ormsby taped a red circle with a diagonal slashes over the image of an Army tank and a naval vessel.

Thompson returned and asked another protester to take down the signs. Ormsby and Gower refused. Words were exchanged. One protester standing nearby got heated and insulted the recruiter before others led him away.

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[geardaddy]

1. I commend the police.

They totally knew that these people had a right to protest and only threatened with littering.

I find it ironic that the recruiter called it "his building."

[Maat]

2. Wow.

The police sure handled that well. Their response was the epitomy of non-violent common sense! Hell hath frozen over!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. What would be really interesting

is if a peace group were able to get a space next to a recruiter's office and put up their peace office there on a permanent basis. Has this been tried? Just curious.

[shadowknows69]

4. I wish i had the money

because I think there is an empty store front in front of a recruiters office here in Watertown. Any well to do DUers who want to set this up I'd be happy to man it for you.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

5. I wish I had the money

I think it would be a nifty idea. And I'd love to visit upstate NY again-lovely country.

[jwirr]

6. They did that in Duluth Minnesota