US Death Toll in Iraq Seen Spurring Anti-War Protests

By Carey Gillam
Reuters

Thursday 28 December 2006

Kansas City, Missouri - In Kansas City, they will light candles and lay out more than 80 pairs of empty combat boots. In Chicago, anti-war activists will hand out black ribbons, each bearing the name of a U.S. soldier killed in Iraq.

And in New Haven, Connecticut, opponents of the war plan to read aloud the names of 3,000 dead U.S. soldiers.

In all, organizers say some 140 demonstrations in 37 states are planned to mark the 3,000th U.S. military death in Iraq, a milestone that is likely only days away. By Thursday, some 2,989 U.S. troops had died in Iraq since the start of the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed in the unrelenting violence.

Among those keeping track of the U.S. death toll, including soldiers' families, peace activists, politicians, veterans and others, many say they will commemorate the 3,000 mark as both a way to honor the dead and demand an end to the war.

"This horrific and tragic milestone allows us to remind this country of the daily unending human toll of a war that didn't have to happen," said Nancy Lessin, who co-founded Military Families Speak Out after her stepson was called to serve with the Marines in Iraq.

"When we reach the 3,000 mark, it is 3,000 too many."

Opinion polls show the war has become increasingly unpopular with a U.S. public that initially supported it. Voter discontent was a key factor in Democrats' victory over President George W. Bush's Republican Party in congressional elections last month.

So far, the discontent has not translated into large anti-war demonstrations, with events over the last year attracting sometimes only a handful of activists, up to sometimes a few hundred, at each place. Turnout could be similarly low-key this time.

Military Families, which has 3,100 members, is coordinating in its protests with Iraq Veterans Against the War, a group of veterans and active-duty soldiers, and the American Friends Service Committee, a Philadelphia-based social peace and justice group. Other anti-war groups are also participating.

Along with commemorating U.S. soldiers, many events will also mourn dead Iraqi citizens.

"Each individual death is tragic and meaningful ... but the 3,000 mark is an opportunity to recognize and send a message that more war is only going to create more death," said Kansas City Iraq Task Force co-chair Ira Harritt, who is planning a demonstration showcasing empty boots to represent each Missouri and Kansas soldier who has died in the war.

The groups also plan to mount a fresh effort to try to get Congress to do its part to end the war - calling on the new Democrat-led Congress that convenes next month to refuse to approve more funds for the war.

Mark Graham, an American Friends staffer assigned to monitor the death toll and coordinate U.S. demonstrations, said thousands of people were expected to participate in the protests after the 3,000th death.

"It is a very depressing thing to be looking for ... and really sad," said Graham.

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