Where Were my Fellow Americans Today?

Some 60 percent of Americans now feel it was a big mistake to attack Iraq, and presidential candidates Clinton and Barack are fighting for the prize of whose more anti-war. Yet where were these millions of Americans today, almost five years to the day after the start of the Iraq invasion? Why weren't they marching in the streets with me?

This was my 20th or so protest, post-9/11. Each time I attend a march, the crowds get thinner. This time there were somewhere between two and 10 thousand, depending on if you believe the police or the organizers. But even if you go with the high figure, that's only one out every 2,000 Southern Californians. I guess the other 1,999 were watching TV or drinking or shopping instead.

Or maybe they were scared. Actually, the sheriff department's presence certainly could have deterred some citizens who may have thought of exercising their First Amendment rights. The Blue Line station on Willow Street sported a paddy wagon and five patrol cars, as well as 20 or so officers on the platform. I asked one what this heavy presence was about. She said it was because of the march. "But we're peaceful," I said. Then she came up with a reason: They were making sure that no one carried a stick on board, the kind that's used to support a protest sign. She said these are considered weapons. Oh, my gawd! If that were true, why not have a lone officer stationed at the entrance to the platform to tell any protesters that they could not carry sticks on board! This was intimidation, pure and simple.

My favorite sign of the day--and, yes, unfortunately, I forgot my camera--was "I Love America, But I Miss the World's Respect." Amen to that. Now when I look at my world-map shower curtain--and I do so several times a day--I often think, not "Where would I like to go?" but more "Where can I afford to go?" Afford, not just in terms of the deflated dollar, but in terms of safety and a friendly reception.

Another good one: "I Love America, But I Think We Should Start Seeing Other People." Amen to that!

So, yes, I'm overall disappointed by my fellow Americans, dispassionate, lazy, uninformed, self-absorbed, or scared as they seem to be. But I was also encouraged by the number of young people who took to the streets of Los Angeles today. Perhaps there is hope. As anthropologist Margaret Mead said, "Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

And yet, it sure would be nice if it were a big group of committed people. Yes, that would make things happen a whole lot quicker.