By Stephen Webster
On Thursday, Oct. 5, around 2 p.m., a group of about 40 protesters gathered outside the offices of Congressman Michael C. Burgess in Lewisville, just off Interstate 35 East and Corporate Dr. in Lewisville. They came as part of a national call to action issued by a group called “The World Can’t Wait: Drive Out the Bush Regime,” which is opposed to the continued war in Iraq and the adoption of torture as a legal method of interrogation. It was just one of over 200 protests nation-wide.
“I think this war is unjust,” said Patricia Axelson of Flower Mound. “I think we were lied to about why we were going to Iraq. Our soldiers are dying for an unjust cause. This reminds me of Vietnam all over again.”
Axelson added that she did not know much about Congressman Burgess, and that she does not affiliate herself with either major political party. “My husband was in Vietnam, though,” she said. “So, I think it should be pretty obvious why we’re anti-war.”
Congressman Burgess’ opponent, Democrat Tim Barnwell, also showed up at the protest, joining with demonstrators in expressing his concern about the war.
“I’m standing in front of Congressman Burgess’ office to protest a war that is bringing out the most evil side of human nature,” said Barnwell. “This is not a nation that attacks first. For a generation, we admonished Japan for attacking Pearl Harbor. Now we’ve done the same thing: we attacked first. That is not something we do. And to those who still believe Iraq had something to do with the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, I ask them to listen to the words of President Bush, who has admitted numerous times that there is no connection.”
Barnwell also noted that Congressman Burgess has been given a zero percent rating by the Disabled American Veterans Association. He encouraged other demonstrators to read about his and other legislators’ voting records at www.dav.org.“When was the last time you heard of an American wanting to disguise their citizenship while traveling overseas to avoid anger from those who used to be our allies?” asked Barnwell, who held a sign that read “Burgess Votes Against Disabled Veterans.”
Congressman Burgess was out of the office on a personal day, according to members of his staff. An office aid passed along the Congressman’s thoughts, stating that, “We cannot walk away from Iraq. We have to take the long view.”
Around 3 p.m., yard sprinklers were turned on underneath the demonstrators, much to their ire.
“This is an age-old tactic,” said Dan Burnam, a Denton resident and member of Veterans for Peace and Peace Action Denton. “Shortly after the Iraq war had started there was a Bush fundraiser at the Wyndham Anatole [hotel] in downtown Dallas. There was a demonstration scheduled, and everybody was standing in the free speech zone the police had set up. About three-quarters of the way into the demonstration, they decided to turn the water sprinklers on us just as they have today.”
Burnam described how he was arrested for stepping on a sprinkler head in an attempt to protect electronic equipment, such as cell phones and cameras, being carried by other demonstrators.
“The idea of the United States having a debate and changing the laws on what defines torture is sickening,” said Barnwell. “Everybody here knows what torture is. Everybody. Even those in Congress who voted for this law. It is offensive to me and to all Americans. It puts all of our troops at increased risk, all for the sake of a few men running this country, many of whom never actually saw combat.”
Barnwell added that he was called up for the draft during the Vietnam War, but was denied by Army doctors due to back problems. “But I didn’t back away from it like so many others did,” said Barnwell. “I stepped up to the plate. I was ready to serve my country.”“We’re here to help people wake up,” said Tim Martin, a resident of Allen. “It is time for people to sit back and take a look at what is going on around them. This is just one way we could help spread the word. I believe we entered this war illegally, and now is the time to bring our troops home."
