Last year on this day, we all had hoped that we would not be gathering again. After 5 years of the War in Iraq, we have now arrived at the sad milestone of 4000 American soldiers killed in Iraq. Regretfully, the time has now come to mourn and share our heartfelt sorrow at this agonizing loss to our nation and our people once again.
Many CODEPINK chapters will host memorial vigilS this Monday, March 24.
For more information about vigils in your area, contact these coordinators:
GAINESVILLE ~ jacque@codepinkalert.org
ORLANDO ~ www.codepinkorlando.blogspot.com or email codepinkorlando@gmail.com
SARASOTA ~ bellaespana@verizon.net and/or lcmitch78@yahoo.com
SOUTH FL WPB ~ spiderhill@usa.net
The vigil will be at the Mall at Wellington Green, 7:00pm Corner of West Forest Hill Blvd and 441, Wellington, FL the evening after the PB Post announces the 4000th death
SW FL Ft MYERS ~ hrauen@comcast.net
TALLAHASSEE ~ codepinktally@yahoo.com
TAMPA BAY ~ codepinktampabay@yahoo.com and/or tarotlaydee@gmail.com
UCF University of Central Florida ~ xofashionkillaxo@aol.com
VOLUSIA/FLAGLER ~ RSVP: cassydoan@aol.com
Please bring flowers, candles and signs. You are also welcome to bring any other items or props to this vigil. Some cities are doing chalkings of the bodies with the numbers of the US and Iraqi casualties on the sidewalks outside their congressional offices. Some women are dressing in black and wailing in the streets. Some are wearing black armbands with the number 4000, some will be wearing pink tape with the number 4000, some are marching and closing down intersections to draw attention to this travesty and some will be reliving the day they were informed that their loved one was dead.
Regretfully, 4,000 is just the tip of the iceberg. According to CBS, we currently have 120 veterans committing suicide every week or an average of 17 every day. One third of our soldiers have reported to being raped or had an attempted rape during their service. Over 40,000 Iraq veterans have returned home with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, loss of limbs and/or severe head trauma. Their families now bear a heavy burden and are suffering from physical and mental abuse, loss of their homes, jobs and loved ones.
Nobel Laureate Stephen Stiglitz of Columbia and Harvard University public finance Professor Laura Bilmes estimate War costs to be 3 trillion now and the service (interest) on the debt alone will amount to $900 billion. Gas, Bread, Milk and eggs have risen to all time highs in our country and the dollar is pitiful in the world markets. It is not going to get any better, any time soon. In fact, most experts are predicting even worse economic times to come.
Yet the national media has all but ignored the peace movement and entirely ignored testimonies last week of the Iraq veterans who spoke at Winter Soldier. The Washington Post only covered this event in the local section of their paper and none of the major television stations even bothered to show up to hear OUR veterans speak! Testimony by Vets at WINTER SOLDIER: http://ivaw.org/wintersoldier/testimony/video
We do not know accurately how many lives have been devastated in Iraq but the chaos and constant trauma has left no one untouched or unaffected. It's possible that over a million have now died and we know that millions more have been displaced and/or had their daily lives destroyed. I hope that YOU will hear this call to action and let your voices be heard.
4000 Deaths ~ 170 in Florida
5YearsofWar.com Event in Tampa 3/19
http://www.5yearsofwar.com
(PICS ARE COMING!)
Tampa streets right around the Federal Courthouse Building came alive this afternoon with the people that the US and our government controlled media can no longer consider "fringe." The majority of American people don't support the war, but they support the troops by insisting that our government bring them home from Iraq. After 5 years of war, it was again, time for this message had to be heard by our leaders since we are not seeing the real cost of this war on our TVs during the evening news and the War is largely ignored by our printed mainstream media.
This event began at 315PM this afternoon with several of the protesters who were veterans gathering together early to meet with the representative from Senator Bill Nelson's office. The meeting was scheduled to let the Senator know that his decisions and his votes do not represent the will of the people. The Senator's assistant was fully engaged in the conversation, took notes, asked questions and assured us that she would make sure that the Senator would know what we discussed and that the questions we had for him would be followed up.
People started to gather on the corner of Florida and Cass Streets, people from many peace groups, faiths, old, young, college aged, kids, families, even doggies for peace (one had a sweater embellished with ALL WE NEED IS LOVE!). "V" was there, a Bush-masked protestor with blood on his hands, Veterans for Peace, Code Pink, members of CAIR and the Bhuddist Peace Fellowship, Pax Christi, USF students, WMNF people, interviewers from the network affiliates, interviewees, and peaceful children, a few with signs they made themselves.
Some of the young people had sidewalk chalk and started drawing on the sidewalk in front of the federal courthouse, then moved across the street to chalk up a huge wall, the length of the city block with some very cool graffitti. There were singers and guitarists, chanting, drumming and people just communing with one another in peace, love and fellowship. Photographers dashed in and out of the crowd trying to get their perfect shots. Organizers chanted on the bullhorns and got the others chanting back and forth. At one count there were 350 people lined up on both sides of the street. The Federal Courthouse security officials watched from the top steps of the building and the police were on the corner observing everyone. As the offices in the downtown area closed for the day, the traffic increased to the rush hour surge, and many people waved and honked their approval of what we were doing as they drove by.
Some of the older children, covered in fake blood, laid down as if dead on the makeshift memorial of shoes that had been displayed on the sidewalk in front of the Courthouse to demonstrate the human cost of war, the death of the innocents. The real numbers of the dead and the real cost of war needs to be noted on this 5th year of the war! Citizens for a Legitimate Government states the following today in their latest report: "...no one knows how many Iraqis have been killed in the five years since the invasion. Estimates put the toll at between 100,000 and one million. 19 Mar 2008 The British polling firm Opinion Research Business (ORB) asked 1,720 Iraqi adults last summer if they had lost family members by violence since 2003; 16% had lost one, and 5% two. Using the 2005 census total of 4,050,597 households in Iraq, this suggests 1,220,580 deaths since the invasion."
That is not even counting the almost 4,000 American soldiers as of this writing and that is the count of those that died in battle, not the numbers of the wounded who died later, at hospitals in Germany or the US, and others that committed suicide later as a result of the emotional and mental trauma they suffered from or those that have suffered and later died from Depleted Uranium and it's disastrous effects. The numbers of the dead the mainstream media give us are skewed!
You and your family are paying dearly for this war! As of right now, this war has cost EACH AMERICAN $16,000! This is as if you opened your checkbook and wrote the check yourself! It is time that the truth about this war is told to the American people. If the media will not do it, WE WILL by becoming the media ourselves. Get up off of the couch, find a local peace group, get active, be engaged, write, call, email, your representatives, ask questions, find out their take on the issues, ask them why they are not representing YOU, after all YOU are paying them with your tax dollars. Spread the word about this unjust war to your family, friends, colleagues, and blog, email, join online forums and stay busy expressing your views to anyone that will listen. Never give up! We can DO THIS!
Florida State Wide Actions in March
Bartow, FL
5 Years Peace Vgil- 03/19
Big Pine Key, FL
5th Anniversary of the Iraq War Vigil- 03/19
Boca Raton, FL
Eyes Wide Open Exhibit - 3/18/08- 03/18
Brooksville, FL
5 Year Iraq War Action- 03/19
Daytona Beach, FL
5 Year Anti-War Demonstration Against the Iraq Occupation- 03/19
Deerfield Beach, FL
Deerfield Vigil- 03/15
Delray Beach, FL
Stand Where You Are- 03/19
Delray Beach, FL
"5 Years Too Many" Vigil Against the War- 03/19
Doral, FL
Witness to Human Cost of US Occupation- 03/19
Gainesville, FL
5th Anniversary of the War- 03/19
Jacksonville, FL
Walk Through the Parks- 03/16
Melbourne, FL
5 Years Too Long- 03/19
Miami Beach, FL
Arlington South Beach: Honor the Fallen- 03/19
Miami Beach, FL
Arlington South Beach: Honor the Fallen- 03/15
Naples, FL
5th anniversary invasion of Iraq- 03/19
Ocala, FL
Vigil to mourn 5 years of war- 03/19
All out against the War- 03/20
Orlando, FL
CODEPINK "Walk in their shoes" Exhibit- 03/20
Pensacola, FL
Protest 5 Years of War- 03/19
Port Charlotte, FL
OUT OF IRAQ- 03/19
Sanibel., FL
Silent Peace Vigil- 03/19
Sarasota, FL
5 Years Too Many- 03/19
Satellite Beach, FL
EYES WIDE OPEN FLORIDA- 03/15
South, FL
Stand where you are- 03/19
St. Augustine, FL
Anti-War Protest and Street Theater- 03/15
St. Augustine, FL
5 Years Too Many Protest & Vigil- 03/19
Tallahassee, FL
Reading of the Names and Candle Light Vigil- 03/19
Tallahassee, FL
5 Years TOO Many- 03/19 Hosted By CodePINK Tallahassee & Tallahassee Network for Justice and Peace
Tampa, FL
5 Year Iraq War Action- 03/19
Wellington, FL
5 Years Too Many, No More Wars- 03/19
Your Town!, FL
Stand where you are- 03/19
http://events.unitedforpeace.org/5yearstoomany/calendars/show
Nelson for Vice President?
Vice President Bill Nelson?
Sen. Nelson says that decision
would have to come this summer.
Watch the interview
Bill Nelson a vice president candidate?
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Vice President Bill Nelson? Sen. Nelson says that decision would have to come this summer.
(AP) -- Florida Senator Bill Nelson says he would consider the Number two job in Washington. The two-term Democratic lawmaker is traveling the state while the Senate is on a short recess. He fielded questions from about 65 people in DeLand Thursday, including one about whether he would consider being a vice presidential candidate. Nelson laughed and noted that decision would have to come after the Democratic National Convention in August.
Nelson also spoke to Bay News 9's Al Ruechel and Howard Troxler from the St. Petersburg Times about the VP possibility. That interview will be broadcast Sunday at 11 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Political Connections. He noted the importance of winning Florida if a candidate is going to win the presidency. Watch the interview
Counter-Protesters 101
"Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster." ~ Nietzsche
1. BE PEACE KEEPERS
If we want our leaders to be ambassadors of peace then we must take the lead and be role models. Role Model Peaceful behavior prior to, during and after the action! On September 15th 2007 the Iraq Veterans Against the War led a 100,000 strong march of anti-war protesters from the White House to the Capitol building. They were supported by the Veterans for Peace. Along the way the marchers were harassed by a pro-war gathering. "Their own actions speak louder than words", watch this video and see if you don't agree: http://youtube.com/watch?v=YlbU5ubDy30 A classic CODEPINK video showing how we truly model peaceful behavior and encourage all to do the same!
And Words from Medea Benjamin:
Be nice. Take the high road. Give peace signs. Blow kisses. Don’t yell.
2. KNOW THY ENEMY
The Gathering of Eagles [GOE], Rolling Thunder and other groups can and will do many things to try and upset a peaceful action but they look like total fools with their bulging eyeballs and their mouths screaming obscenities at beautiful smiling [pink] women and men who are emitting love, peace and tolerance.
So who are these counter-protester people? Well, I suspect that many of them are white supremacists. In this video the guy actually says "like one guy at OUR Nazi's march" so This video is only 3 minutes and it is very weird listening to a KKK talk about how to handle the hippies at a march. The Nazi comment is at the 1:45 mark. http://youtube.com/watch?v=mUD9RTtmkyM&mode=related&search
3. ORGANIZE TRAININGS
Prior to Oct 27, 2007 in Orlando*, we held three trainings regarding non-violent action and peace-keeping, one conference call, one meeting centrally located and one meeting at the University of Central Florida for the many students who were planning on attending our rally and march. We also sent emails to all 85 groups involved and hardly any one on our side of the barricades acted out or was aggressive. We also had Peace-Keepers walking throughout the march. These trainings proved to be very important and effective.
4. PUBLICIZE AND DISTRIBUTE WIDELY!
Are you expecting counter-protesters at your event? Let the media know that many of these Pro-War folks are very nasty and have specifically targeted CODEPINK and FRIENDS (Quakers) in recent months in many cities around the country. They have screamed and cursed at us, ripped up peace signs and photos of our loved ones who have died in Iraq, even spit on the Veterans for Peace. Let them and everyone know that you intend to show the world a different way to protest! Let the media know that you will not engage these people in argument or word-slinging, that you respect their right to be there and will only act in a peaceful and powerful way to lift up your voices and Stop the War NOW. It's imperative for you to encourage the media to be responsible and get this message out BEFORE your event!
5. BRING IN THE CLOWNS
Invite everyone to join your group including the Clowns (especially the clowns!), artists, anarchist, activists and green groups to creatively and nonviolently confront these Pro-War supporters. Invite Artists to bring chalk and fill the sidewalks with Peace talk and to be part of your banner making, costumes and any other creative visuals you plan on relating to the war.
And don't forget street theater groups! Below is a part of an article about the "Bride Power" clowns that performed at the Nazi rally in Tennessee. Take a look and see if your group has any inspirations for a similar type of public response to the "Gathering of Eagles" or whoever is planning on crashing your party. From http://asheville./indymedia.org/article/107Clowns:
- White Power! the Nazi's shouted, White Flour? the clowns yelled back running in circles throwing flour in the air and raising separate letters which spelt White Flour
- White Power! the Nazi's angrily shouted once more, White flowers? the clowns cheers and threw white flowers in the air and danced about merrily.
- White Power! the Nazi's tried once again in a doomed and somewhat funny attempt to clarify their message, ohhhhhh! the clowns yelled Tight Shower! and held a solar shower in the air and all tried to crowd under to get clean as per the Klan’s directions.
- At this point several of the Nazi's and Klan members began clutching their hearts as if they were about to have a heart attack. Their beady eyes bulged, and the veins in their tiny narrow foreheads beat in rage. One last time they screamed White Power!
- The clown women thought they finally understood what the Klan was trying to say. Ohhhhh... the women clowns said. Now we understand...
- WIFE POWER! they lifted the letters up in the air, grabbed the nearest male clowns and lifted them in their arms and ran about merrily chanting WIFE POWER! WIFE POWER! WIFE POWER!
6. BE PEACE KEEPERS**
On Friday September 14th, the evening before a mass anti-war mobilization in Washington DC, the Rolling Thunder pro-war motorcycle veterans showed up at the CODEPINK house IN DC. What began as threatening posturing, turned into an engaging dialog between the two groups who are political polar opposites. See Video below ~ CODEPINK DC ROCKS!
"Rolling Thunder" Pro-War Vets Group Visits CODEPINK at Home! http://codepinkdc.blogspot.com/2007/09/rolling-thunder-pro-war-vets-group.html
*For the Oct27 rally here in Orlando, the GEO announced that they would be coming out strong. Since we have so many retired and x military here in Florida, we were expecting 1,000 to 2,000 of them. On the day of the event, the 25 to 35 GOEs hung out on their corner but by the time the march reached that location, it was pouring down rain and they all looked like a bunch of drowned rats. We ignored them, literally and smiled at the cops in full riot gear, waiving our peace signs and telling them "thank you" for keeping the peace. It was almost a let down for some but not for me. A beautiful march it was!
**It's doubley important!
For Tampa Pinks--check out the new MySpace page..
...for St. Pete for Peace.
http://www.myspace.com/stpeteforpeace
On it there is a flyer for March 19 PEACE ACTIONS in Tampa and Brooksville!
For more info and/or details, contact me here:
codepinktampabay@yahoo.com
You can find us Tampa Pinks at the following listserv and MySpace profile page:
http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/codepinktampabay
or
http://www.myspace.com/codepinktampabay
C U in the streets!
Peace Ribbon Project
If you have never seen the Peace Ribbon Project...
This panel was made for Cindy's son.
No more murder of innocent human beings
Ann Wright Book Tour in Florida by Lydia
We ate some chilli, washed up and headed to the First Unitarian Church to meet the amazing Samm Simpson. Samm introduced Ann but first the most amazing singer (he sang "Abraham, Martin and John") brought the mood of freedom into the room. Ann gave the most amazing talk that night. She talked about herself a little more on this talk - she is a true patriot and a real rabble rouser! Saturday was a really great day.Sunday we were up early for a event at The Beach Theater, an alternative movie theater in a funky part of town.
Col Ann Wright Book Readings in Florida
Retired Colonel Ann Wright
DISSENT: Voices of Conscience, Government Insiders Speal Out Against the War in Iraq.
During the run-up to war in Iraq, Ann Wright resigned her State Department post in protest. She had served in the U.S. military and diplomatic corps for 29 and 16 years respectfully, and she was among dozens of government insiders and active-duty military who spoke out, resigned, leaked documents, or refused to deploy. In Dissent: Voices of Conscience, she and coauthor Susan Dixon tell the stories of these men and women, who risked careers, reputations, and even freedom out of loyalty to the Constitution and the rule of law. Join us to celebrate the publication of Ann's new book.
[TOUR Schedule below] More about Ann: http://www.globalexchange.org/getInvolved/speakers/206.html
VIDEO LINKS
Shut Down Guantanamo!
Colonel (Ret.) Ann Wright speaking at the meeting the night before the demonstration at the US Southern Command in Miami, Florida.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=pV4go_QU3n8
International Human Rights Day
At a White House rally, on Dec. 10, 2007, Col. (Ret) Ann Wright sharply criticized the Bush-Cheney Gang for condoning torture around the world; and for its use of rendition (kidnapping) to send detainees to other countries that torture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXqDdg02S14
BOOK SIGNING TOUR SCHEDULE ~ In Florida Jan 24 - 29, 2008
Thursday, Jan 24, 2008
6:00 PM ~ Sarasota News and Books 1341 Main Street Sarasota, Florida 34236
http://www.sarasotanewsandbooks.com/ Andrew Foley 941-323-2310
Friday, Jan 25, 2008
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm ~ The First Unitarian Church of Orlando
1901 East Robinson Street Orlando, Florida 32803 codepinkorlando@gmail.com
Saturday, Jan 26, 2008
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm ~ Peace Forum: Ann Keynote
USF Campus (Specific Rm TBA. Call Mike)
4202 E. Fowler Ave., ADM241 Tampa, Fl 33620 Contact Mike Fox, 727-320-4502
7:30 pm-9:00 pm ~ Unitarian Universalist Church
2470 Nursery Rd Clearwater, FL 33764 Contact Mike Fox, 727-320-4502
Sunday, Jan 27, 2008
10:00 am - 12:00 pm ~ Free Peace Film/Ann Speaks/
Mingler Beach Theater, 315 Corey Ave. St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
Contact: Mike Fox, 727-320-4502
12:30 pm - 2:00 pm ~ Ann Speaks At Samm Simpson Fundraising Lunch
Ferg's 1320 Central Ave. St. Petersburg, FL 33705 Contact Mike Fox, 727-320-4502
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm ~ Ann Speaks At Samm Simpson Fundraising Dinner
Leo's Italian Restaurant, 2900 Alt 19 Palm Harbor Contact Mike Fox, 727-320-4502
Tuesday, Jan 29, 2008
11:45 am - 1:30 pm (Ann will speak for 10-15 minutes)
Regional Round Table Luncheon Orlando, Florida
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ~ University of Central Florida Student Union Bldg.
4000 Central Florida Blvd. Orlando, FL 32816-0003 E-mail contact: global@mail.ucf.edu
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM ~ University of Florida
Arredondo Room (Reitz Union) Gainesville, FL E-mail MCardec@ufic.ufl.edu
"When the actions of government become dangerous to the security of the nation, it takes a special courage for men and women inside the government to speak out. If we care about keeping democracy alive, we must welcome this book." —Howard Zinn"
Ann Wright is not one to be silenced." —Ms. Magazine
For more information, contact 850-241-3191, or visit http://www.voicesofconscience.com/
Dissent: Voices of Conscience, by Colonel (Ret.) Ann Wright and Susan Dixon • Foreword by Daniel EllsbergTrade Paperback Original • 296 pages • $17.95 • ISBN 9780977333844Published by Koa Books • www.koabooks.comDistributed to the trade by SCB Distributors, www.scbdistributors.com
Miami January 2008 Press Links
Here's the link that takes you to the clip directly. http://cbs4.com/video/?id=46104@wfor.dayport.com
Some GREAT quotes from the day!
- "The US Government is harboring a terrorist. And George Bush has said that any country that harbors terrorists is guilty of terrorism." Medea Benjamin
- Tighe Barry speaking to a police officer:
" They do not have permits to carry ten foot polls and with points on the end. That I know is a fact. Now why you don't, you do not follow the rule of law. When the rule of law breaks down, Democracy breaks down. When Democracy breaks down, Anarchy takes place. And what we saw in the streets of Miami was Anarchy! "
Another article from the MIAMI HERALD: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_dade/story/376973.html
Cuban exile militant stirs up foes, fans By David Quinones dquinones@MiamiHerald.com
Photos by Ricardo Lopez/ Miami Herald Staff
Awesome Slide Show of the Shut Down Guantanamo Rally:
http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/miami/shutgitmo/
Guantanamo Prison Protests at SouthCom in Doral
http://cbs4.com/local/Guantanamo.prison.camps.2.627676.html
DORAL (CBS4) ―
Demonstrators, joined by the national anti-war Code Pink movement, were protesting near the Pentagon's Southern Command headquarters in Doral Friday morning calling for the closure of Guantanamo Bay prison camps in Cuba.
It was coordinated worldwide by Amnesty International, marking the sixth anniversary of the opening of the camps.
Six years ago, the first 20 detainees arrived at the remote U.S. Navy base to open the offshore detention and interrogation center.
The Defense Department, which had no official comment on the anniversary, calls the prison camps a war-on-terror necessity and says captives are treated humanely.
The Southern Command overseas the Pentagon's operations in Latin America and the Caribbean and supervises the prison camps, where the United States currently holds 275 men as ``enemy combatants.''
Some of the Doral demonstrators wore orange jumpsuits synonymous with what the prisoners are clothed in.
URGENT ALERT & CALL OUT FROM MIAMI!!!
Dear Friends,
As you probably know from previous emails, our guests from CodePINK have planned to launch their Terrorist Watch Campaign focusing on Luis Posada Carriles , today, Saturday, by meeting in front of the Versailles Restaurant (3555 SW 8th St) at 11am to begin to pass out flyers calling for the arrest of this known terrorist.
The CodePINK activists have come to Miami to lead the successful protest that occurred on Friday in front of the Southern Command in Doral to demand the closing of the Guantanamo Detention Center.
After the protest on Friday members of CodePINK went to a Miami Cuban Radio station to participate in a talk show on Posada Carriles case. When they arrived they encountered a very hostile agitated audience and they debated some equally hostile radio commentators. During the show they were told that if they showed up at the Versailles they would receive a hostile response which would lead to one of them having their " head split open" by a "Castro agent posing as a Cuban right winger". Tonight Medea Benjamin, a national leader of CodePINK, received of phone call from a report from El Nuevo Herald, informing her that the Vigilancia Mambisa, Alpha 66 and other right wing Cuban groups would be holding a counter protest beginning at 10AM at the same location as the Code Pink action.
Over the past year these organizations have physically attacked 3 peaceful protests against the Bush administrations policies regarding Cuba and Venezuela. In all 3 cases First Amendment Rights were trampled upon as the protests were violently broken up with none of the violent attackers being arrested.
Today this must not be allowed to happen again. This morning we will be meeting with the City of Miami Police to facilitate their ability to enforce the law and protect our First Amendment Rights. We cannot allow a small group of right wingers to turn back the clock to a time when people in Miami lived in fear if they expressed opposition to the US policies on Cuba and Latin America. Please join us in supporting CodePINK'S right to free speech by joining them across the street from the Versailles Restaurant at 11 AM this morning. For more information please call me at 305-582-4846 or Media Benjamin at 415-235-6517
Best Regards,
Jack Lieberman
South Florida Peace & Justice Network
Doral protesters target Guantánamo
BY CAROL ROSENBERG Miami Herald Posted on Fri, Jan. 11, 2008
crosenberg@MiamiHerald.com
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/375414.html
About 60 protesters -- many wearing trademark orange jumpsuits -- staged a street demonstration near the Pentagon's outpost in Doral Friday -- protesting the sixth anniversary of the opening of the prison camps at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba.
Morning rush-hour motorists mostly whizzed by the demonstrators, who were chanting, ''Hey-hey, ho-ho, U.S. out of Guantánamo'' and ''Stop torture now,'' at a busy intersection at Northwest 87th Avenue and Doral Boulevard.
A few drivers honked their car and truck horns as protester Rae Newman of Miami waved a sign declaring, ``Honk 4 Peace.''
''People are somewhat complacent,'' she said, adding that the horn-honking ``goes in waves, actually. When one person honks, it gives others the courage to honk.''
The local demonstrators, joined by the national anti-war movement called Code Pink, were protesting near the U.S. Southern Command as part of a coordinated series of demonstrations called by Amnesty International.
Six years ago Friday, the first 20 detainees arrived at the remote U.S. Navy base in southeast Cuba to open the offshore detention and interrogation center. Since then, nearly 800 detainees have been held there -- 275 of whom remain behind barbed wire enclosures as ``enemy combatants.''
Only two are now formally charged with crimes; two more await charges and a Pentagon official has said, in the end, the Bush administration expects to put 90 of the 275 on trial.
The Defense Department, which had no official comment on the anniversary, calls the prison camps a war-on-terror necessity and says captives are treated humanely.
Medea Benjamin, Code Pink founder, said the coordinated demonstrations across the globe were designed to send a message. ``We want the world to see another face of the American people -- one that believes in human rights and justice for all.''
Last year, for the fifth anniversary, she led a dozen people to the Cuban side of the minefield separating the isolated U.S. Navy base from Cuba proper -- and staged a vigil there. Among them were the mother and brother of Guantánamo detainee Omar Deghayes, who was released to the British government last month and is in London awaiting a court decision on whether he will be extradited to Spain.
The Doral demonstrators fanned out on a sidewalk with banners that also declared, ''Torture is terror'' and ''Close Guantánamo.'' About a third wore the jumpsuits and held photos of war-on-terror detainees, both men since freed and some still in the prison camps.
The protesters marched up a sidewalk toward Southcom, the jumpsuits and banners serving as quirky street theater in generally businesslike Doral.
One protester brought a pet rooster, saying it symbolized ``a wake-up call for America.''
Most of the demonstrators were locals, among them Florida National Guard soldier Camilo Mejia, 32, a former staff sergeant who was busted down to private after he was convicted of desertion for refusing to serve a second tour in Iraq in 2004.
Mejia, now of Sunny Isles, served nine months in an Army prison and is now appealing his conviction.
Meantime, he said he came to protest for a ''due process'' at Guantánamo but not in support of the detainees.
``It's not about the people who are there. It's about us. Everybody's entitled to their day in court. Give them an attorney and charge them with something.''
Southcom is the Pentagon's outpost for operations in Latin America and the Caribbean and has supervised the prison camps since before they opened on Jan. 11, 2002.
