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Parkites join rallies in Salt Lake City

by Jay Hamburger

The "Support the Troops" rally at Liberty Park Wednesday drew far fewer people than the morning’s anti-war rally. About 200 people listened to speeches in favor of the war in Iraq compared to several thousand at the anti-war rally. Attendees carried American flags and signs, one of which read: "Bush is right, Right war, Right time, Right place."

A woman from Iraq told the group that the U.S. had fulfilled many Iraqis dreams by getting rid of Saddam.

Robert Fisher from Clearfield, Utah who serves as the state commander for the American Legion in Utah said, "We wanted to show support for the troops in Iraq and for those who have come back….We feel, as veterans, that the commander in chief needs the support fo the nation."

Earlier, at the anti-war rally, Park City musician Rich Wyman performed a passionate 13 minute set on the steps of the Salt Lake City County building.

Wyman dedicated his first song, an original composition, to anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan, whose son was killed in Iraq. As the crowd cheered, Wyman pounded on the keyboard yelling, "Someone tell me it is over." Another lyric that drew huge applause was: The rich stay home, we send the poor."

According to Wyman he was energized by the crowd which he described as "focused and intense."

Former Park City Councilman and local develper Jim Doilney attended the anti-war rally and told The Record, that he is "totally against this war." He added, "So sad, we are creating enemies faster than we can kill them."

Democatic state house candidate Laura Bonham was handing out stickers at the rally that read: "End the Occupation of Iraq." Bonham said she passed out more than 1,200 stickers in the first 25 minutes. She said, "This war is very costly. We need to develope a strategy to get out of Iraq."

The first political rally of a day of demonstatiobns, was billed as the "Death to Israel" rally. It drew less than a handful of participants.

During that demoonstration, however, A former Park City resident became engaged in a verbal skirmish with a man who appeared to be the leader of the event. The encounter took place on the corner of State Street and 4th South. Michael Pack who lived in Park City for eight years but now lives in Salt Lake said, I think it was very hateful. It is not about an event he is talking about death to a people.

The demonstrator, Robert Breeze of Salt Lake City told reporters, Israel has an undue influence in the United States. Hamburger said Breeze became agitated when questioned by reporters and told them, I am not going to play stupid. The media should be ashamed of its coverage of the Iraq war.

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