For more than three years in the Seattle/Puget Sound area, it’s been a common sight. Anti-war demonstrators gather for regular weekly vigils at busy intersections in neighborhoods and towns, holding signs and encouraging passing drivers to “honk against the war.” Some vigils—as these demonstrations are called—are large, some are small. The numbers fluctuate. What unites these intrepid activists is the belief that the people have to take action and speak out to stop the war.
In Everett, activists have been gathering on Fridays at noon at the corner of Colby and Hewitt in downtown. Across the street from the anti-war protesters, a small group of pro-war demonstrators has also gathered, holding American flags and “support the troops” signs. Predictably, there has been some tension between the two groups of demonstrators. The pro-war demonstrators shout out puerile insults like “Chicken-liver liberals” and take pictures of the anti-war demonstrators. The threat in such actions is implicit; in some areas farther from the urban Seattle center, intense pro-war harassment has closed down anti-war vigils.
On Friday, June 30, tensions in Everett came to a boil and police brutally arrested Paul Staiger, an anti-war demonstrator. Staiger, a vocal and passionate individual, was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after getting into a verbal confrontation with pro-war demonstrators. Despite their provocative and hostile behavior, no pro-war demonstrators were arrested. According to other witnesses to the arrest, Staiger repeatedly yelled, “I am not resisting arrest!” as he was handcuffed and pushed to the ground.
After the arrest, a call went out for more support for the Everett demonstration. Today, more than 30 anti-war activists gathered at Colby and Hewitt, facing off against about 15 pro-war demonstrators. Police presence was noticeable, with several bicycle cops moving in and out of the crowd, attempting to engage demonstrators in “friendly conversations.” “What’s your name? Do you come to these demonstrations a lot?”
Numerous first-time participants bolstered the Everett demonstrators’ numbers, including members of the ANSWER Coalition, Seattle. The soon-to-be chartered Everett/Snohomish County Veterans for Peace chapter had a large presence as did Everett Peace Action. There were also many unaffiliated protesters who simply felt the need to take a stand.
Despite his arrest, Paul Staiger was undeterred, returning to the corner with his sign, surrounded by a group of young activists including his daughter, a student at the University of Washington. “Bush is a war criminal and should be tried for treason!” he shouted at the pro-war flag-wavers across the street.
