Mark Holtz
03-23-03, 11:05 AM
From SF Gate (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/03/23/MN22135.DTL)
Protesters' tactics alienating even those against war
Experts question effectiveness but organizers see success
As a few hundred anti-war demonstrators marched past white-collar workers and hard hats along Market Street on Friday, some chanted, "It's only a matter of time before you join us, join us."
But after the disruptions in San Francisco last week that led to 2,133 arrests over two days, and with activists promising more civil disobedience Monday and Tuesday, it's becoming harder for many people to sympathize with the demonstrators -- even for those who support their cause.
"The protesters are acting like sore losers," said Aitan Melamud, a retired urologist, as he watched a protest outside Bechtel Corp. headquarters Friday morning. "Like if they can't have their way, then we can't go on with our lives."
Those familiar with the peace movement say that if activists want to transform the protests into a lasting political force, they have to reach out to those who cannot see past their tactics.
Full article here (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/03/23/MN22135.DTL)
Protesters' tactics alienating even those against war
Experts question effectiveness but organizers see success
As a few hundred anti-war demonstrators marched past white-collar workers and hard hats along Market Street on Friday, some chanted, "It's only a matter of time before you join us, join us."
But after the disruptions in San Francisco last week that led to 2,133 arrests over two days, and with activists promising more civil disobedience Monday and Tuesday, it's becoming harder for many people to sympathize with the demonstrators -- even for those who support their cause.
"The protesters are acting like sore losers," said Aitan Melamud, a retired urologist, as he watched a protest outside Bechtel Corp. headquarters Friday morning. "Like if they can't have their way, then we can't go on with our lives."
Those familiar with the peace movement say that if activists want to transform the protests into a lasting political force, they have to reach out to those who cannot see past their tactics.
Full article here (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2003/03/23/MN22135.DTL)