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Anti-War Rally Kicks Off in Athens, GA

by Christopher Byrne | October 13, 2007 at 09:07 am

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Athens, GA (Oct 13, 2007) - The normally quiet streets of Downtown Athens will be a little livelier. On Washington Street, right outside the doors of the Legendary 40 Watt Club, the annual "Fall Into Athens" festival is sponsoring "The Athens Anti-War Rally".

Main Stage at The Athens Anti-War Rally

Kicking off at noon, the streets are fairly quiet right now. John Keane (at left), a local musician and music producer whose clients include R.E.M. and Widespread Panic, says "This is the first time my band [Strawberry Flats] hs played this event. We have played the past couple of International Human Rights Festivals over on College Avenue." When asked if he thought this rally would have any real impact, he "said I am not sure. It will be interesting to see what kind of turnout they will get for this event."

While people are there for a cause, an individual supporting Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich (see right) initially asked that he not be photographed as he though this reporter might be police. "I guarantee you," he said, "that once this thng gets into full gear later, the police will be out here with cameras."

It is quite possible that this type of attitude might keep mainstream war opponents from attending the rally. Various groups have set up booths with signs and literature. Unfortunately, simple things like misspelling the word "Israeli" may indeed hurt their credibility.

Anti-War Rally Participant Corrects Spelling of "Israeli"

Featured speakers include Phil Aliff of Irag Veterans Against the War and Major (RET) Kelly Culver, an Air Force Gulf War Veteran. The street is fairly empty right now, but that may change as the day and evening unfolds.

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Christopher Byrne

at 09:37 on October 13th, 2007

Jordan Yerman

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 11:02 on October 13th, 2007

Christopher Byrne, you've convinced me you've done the work - it's authentic. I also think that you've been fair and thorough. I didn't get the sense that you were hiding your biases, or passing off other's work as your own. Or worse -- getting paid by those you cover -- so it's transparent and independent. I also think you deserve praise for being an eyewitness, and for your investigative efforts. Good stuff.

denseatoms

at 17:20 on October 13th, 2007

I'm a 1975 UGa graduate-school grad. I missed streaking in Athens in the 1980s, and I fear I'm missing the "Stop the War" events now. But how gladdening to see that things are still hopping at the Alma Mater.

Go, Dawgs!