Protesters pressure Ehlers on Iraq

Analysis:

This story is based upon an event organized by the group Americans Against Escalation in Iraq. The article cites one of the organizers as saying that “We will continue trying to get 40 votes on the sensible side of this debate,” referring to the 40 Republican Representatives the campaign is targetting nationally. There is no mention as to why the group is not targetting any Democrats nationally even though many of them also support the ongoing funding for the US war in Iraq. The article also provides a summary of some of the groups’ efforts and that Congressman Ehlers did attend a panel discussion held on Iraq on August 23. Organizer Bryan Finken also is quoted as saying of Ehlers “Maybe it’s a sign. He’s been sitting in the audience, listening to the debates,” but the comment by Ehlers later in the article indicates that he has not changed his position on this matter. The statement Ehlers makes in this article “We invaded that country. We made a mess of it. We have a moral obligation to try and fix the situation before we pull out,” which is the same statement he made on August 10, July 6, and March 18. The article ends stating that Ehlers is one of five Congressmen being targetted in Michigan.

Story:

As the summer draws to a close, Brian Finken wants one local congressman to know his group’s efforts to find a solution to the Iraq war won’t freeze over.

Finken, field organizer for the national group Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, and 12 others settled into West Michigan this summer in hopes of swaying U.S. Rep. Vern Ehlers’ stance on the war. Their 10-week tour ends this weekend, but members said they will continue to pressure Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, and 39 other members of Congress, until they can reach “a safe and responsible end to this chaos.”

“We will continue trying to get 40 votes on the sensible side of this debate,” Finken said.

His group dispersed more than 2,300 anti-war signs and 2,000 bumper stickers throughout the community to help capture the attention of Ehlers and area residents.
The signs, emblazoned in bright yellow and red, read “Iraq War: Wrong Way,” and can be seen in the windows of stores and coffee shops.

“We’ve been quite a presence,” Finken said, reflecting on his nine weeks in Grand Rapids. Five organization members will remain in Michigan after this weekend.

For Finken, it was time well spent. When members began their protests outside Ehlers’ office in June, he said, they received little response. Now, as they prepare to move into the next phase of their campaign, the congressman has turned up at several events.

Finken said he spotted Ehlers at a candlelight vigil Monday and an Iraq war panel discussion at the Women’s City Center last week.

“Maybe it’s a sign,” he said. “He’s been sitting in the audience, listening to the debates.”

For his last week in Grand Rapids, Finken and other members joined with area peace organizations to bring their message to local academia. Anti-war protesters Tuesday filled Grand Valley State University’s downtown Loosemore Auditorium to capacity.

“We’d like to appeal to the younger demographic,” Finken said, as supporters shuffled past him to join the chanting crowd inside the auditorium. For more than an hour, guests sang to the tune of anti-war commentary provided by two GVSU professors and a minister.

But their guest of honor did not show.

Instead, Ehlers said he intended to meet with six residents today to hear their opposition to the war.

“It sounded to me like it was more of a rally than a serious meet-with-Vern kind of thing,” Ehlers said of Tuesday’s gathering.

He said he disagrees with those who favor speedy withdrawal from Iraq.

“We invaded that country. We made a mess of it. We have a moral obligation to try and fix the situation before we pull out,” he said.

Americans Against Escalation in Iraq is targeting five other Michigan members of Congress, all Republicans: Reps. Fred Upton, of St. Joseph; Mike Rogers, of Howell; Candice Miller, of Harrison Township; Thaddeus McCotter, of Livonia; and Marty Knollenberg, of Troy.