Thousands protest U.S. role in Central America on March 24
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BNEI Over 8000 demonstrated in San Francisco, Calif., on March 24 to demand: "End the U.S. War in Central America'"
By CLAUDETTE Up to 40,000 people commemorated the 10-year anniversary of Archbishop Oscar Romero's assassination by marching in cities across the United States on March 24 to protest U.S. intervention in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Outrage against the U.S. government's continued deadly attacks against the people of Central America inspired many young people to join these marches. Built by coalitions representing a wide range of organizations, the actions were especially important following the U.S. government's invasion of Panama and its recent aggressive posture toward Cuba. Coalition sponsors included church groups, refugees, labor unions, students, CISPES (Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador), and other community groups.
The largest protest was in Washington, D.C., where 15,000 demonstrated in spite of a blizzard, many buses having been turned back on the way. A civil disobedience action which erected a mock Salvadoran shantytown on Pennsylvania Ave. resulted in 612 arrests.
In San Francisco, 8,000 to 10,000 people participated. Along the march route, demonstrators stopped in front of the Federal Building, and laid down coffins, flowers, and crosses to commemorate the 300,000 killed in Central America.
The Seattle and Los Angeles marches both drew 5,000; in Austin, 1,000 rallied. There were also actions in many other cities, including Denver and Cleveland.
The tenor of the marches was spirited everywhere. Banners and props were clear in their statements to end the U. S. War in Central America. Special interfaith ceremonies preceded the marches and rallies in many areas.
In addition, celebrated entertainers showed Costa Rican Photos by Joseph Ryan/Socialist Action Salvadorans took to the streets March 24 for the first time since last fall to honor the memory of Oscar Romero and to call an end to the repression by the death-squad government of Alfredo Cristiani.
Over 100 visitors from Europe and the United States, including bishops from the Vatican and many other countries, traveled to El Salvador to accompany the Salvadorans.
The march, officially a "pilgrimage," was authorized by the government despite a five-month old state of siege that forbids public demonstrations.
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7000 brave state of siege in El Salvador