Activists Continue War Debate on Honolulu Avenue

Local protesters showcased pride and emotion on opposite ends of Honolulu Avenue along Ocean View Boulevard Friday, in the days before the 10-year anniversary of 9/11.

The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq following Sept. 11, 2001, provided the initial impetus for the anti-war activists to gather, led by Roberta Meadford. Meadford, a local resident, hosts protests speaking to the negative consequences of American foreign policy.

“We’re here because we support the troops, and want them to be brought home from three hopeless and needless wars,” Meadford said.

Formed in January of 2006, Meadford’s group made more of a communal gathering out of their weekly meeting than a ritualistic hounding. Meadford’s group passed out flyers expressing solidarity with Private Bradley Manning, who allegedly passed classified information to the website Wikileaks.

“We’re here to raise awareness, and it’s important for people to realize that there is dissent, and that issues are complicated, and people should inform themselves,” said Meadford.

Across the street, over the sporadic honking and hollering, lies the veteran’s camp, led by Vietnam War veteran Mike Baldwin. Waving American flags some as high as 20 feet, the veterans aren’t there to express unquestioning support for the wars in the Middle East.

“Most of us are Vietnam-era veterans, and we just want the troops to be treated differently from how they were [treated] in the 1960s,” said Baldwin.

While expressing their mission statement, the veterans expressed hopes similar to those of their more liberal counterparts.

“We’d like to see [the troops] come home; we aren’t pro-war,” said Baldwin.

The veterans wave flags every Friday in hopes of making a difference in their community: The payoff is a thank you or a pat on the back.

“We like to think we’re [making a difference]. We have a lot of troops who stop by and say thank you, and that in itself is our reward,” said Baldwin.