By REAGAN WHEELER I Special to the Daily Press
PALISADES PARK While a filibuster in the U.S. Senate will never be confused with a spectator sport, the Republicans’ refusal to allow a vote on the war spending bill sure got people fired up here on Tuesday evening.
Throughout Tuesday afternoon and well into the evening, Republicans stalled a vote on H.R. 1585, which would set a clear redeployment date for soldiers serving in Iraq.
Roughly 30 people from throughout Southern California rallied at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard to show their “distaste for the Republicans in the Senate trying to stop the bill on pulling our troops out,” according to Leslie Berliant, a coordinator for the activist group MoveOn.org.
“I don’t like to see the Constitution being trampled and pissed on,” said Santa Monican Alison Wentworth. “I think it’s a tragedy.”
MoveOn has been a strong basis nationwide for anti-war movements. Rallies were also held Tuesday in San Diego, Malibu and Los Angeles,in addition to the one staged at Ocean Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard, in reaction to the filibuster.
Former Marine Cameron White joined the group on Tuesday in Palisades Park. White, a Sherman Oaks resident, served two tours of duty in Iraq and is now a member of the organization Iraq Veterans Against War.
“If people are against the war, they need to do something,” said White.“I’m just out here to bring our troops home.”
Also on hand was Carlos Delgado, who came out to show his support for the troops, including his older brother Fredy, who was honorably discharged in 2005, after saving an Iraqi man’s life, according to his brother Carlos. At the same time, the younger Delgado expressed disgust with government’s lack of respect for veterans.
After his brother saved a man’s life, in addition to saving that of his fellow soldiers, the government refused to give him any kind of health benefits, according to Carlos Delgado.
“Because he is not a citizen, he can’t vote for a president that won’t send him over there or one that will bring his friends home,” said Delgado. “He can still serve, though, which doesn’t make much sense.”
Another protester on hand Tuesday was Barbara Gluck, a New York Times photographer during the Vietnam conflict. Gluck spent more than three years overseas, reporting on the effects of war.
Like most of those in the park, she is appalled by the war in Iraq.
“The thing we’re not seeing in this war is the pain and suffering,” Gluck said.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 18, 2007. Read the original PDF.