Lancaster, PA

On March 15, 2008, a few days before the Five Year Anniversary of the Iraq war, and the 4000th U.S. Soldier to die in combat, at least 700 people from all ages and backgrounds gathered in Binn's Park on N. Queen Street to hear recollections from veterans, inspirations from the parents of fallen soldiers and poets and pleas for peace from local religious leaders. Small processions called feeder marches added to the swelling crowd throughout the morning, including people from the local chapter of the Industrial Workers of the World, People of Faith, the Rainbow Rose Community, Youth and the Clowns for Peace.

The rally at Binn's Park was followed by a procession through downtown Lancaster and a Town Hall meeting at Southern Market. The demonstrations were sponsored by the Lancaster Coalition for Peace and Justice.

This is a photo/video essay roundup of the event. It was an important day for peace activists, and a great display of local civilian media—there were at least 30 community journalists brandishing digital cameras and camcorders and interviewing participants, which might account for why the mainstream media, including Fox News, actually stayed long enough to see the crowds.
Photo Galleries | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Videos | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Articles | 1 | 2 | 3 | Also this video from the 2006 Karl Rove protests at the Host in Lancaster.