New Haven Independent

Summoned through the Internet by MoveOn.org, the demonstrators were possessed of the high-energy, righteous anger.

“We’ve got to let our voices be heard,” said Arla Rossman (pictured bottom left) of Milford. “These poor kids are getting killed, and on both sides, and for what? For nothing!”

Lorraine Godfrey of Hamden, to her left, and Bob and Gloria Brown, of Southington, behind, echoed the sense of anger that seemed to derive from being ignored, and even betrayed. Several protesters said they had never been to a public protest like this before, but Bush’s Wednesday night speech compelled them to stand with signs in the cold, shout to the passing cars, many of which honked in support, and express their outrage.

“Bush didn’t listen to the voters, or to the generals,” said Hubert Woodard, a World War II veteran (pictured to the right) and chair of the New Haven chapter of Veterans for Peace. “And he didn’t listen to his commission that told him to talk to Iran and Syria. So we’re here.”

Jennifer Just, MoveOn’s New Haven coordinator (not pictured) added, “If we can’t be heard by votes, this is all we have left. Can you hear us now!” Similar MoveOn-organized rallies were held throughout the country today in an effort, according to the MoveOn email “to stop this plan in its tracks.” Just said MoveOn was calling for a much larger demonstration at the Bushnell in Hartford Friday, at 3:00 p.m.