A graphic of an Iraqi mother mourning rests against a recruiter’s car.
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — In a series of protests organizers called “Five Years Of War – Five Days Of Protest”, Staten Islanders took to the streets of the “Forgotten Borough” to mark the tragic milestone of 4000 KIA in Iraq. The 4000th death to be confirmed by the Department of Defense was announced early on Monday, March 24. Debra Anderson of Military Families Speak Out responded immediately by calling Tom Good from Movement for a Democratic Society. Working together, the organizers planned and executed a mobile vigil that visited the St. George Recruiting Center, Borough Hall, Vito Fossella’s (R, NY-13) congressional office and the Staten Island Mall. Joining MFSO and MDS in the streets were several members of Peace Action Staten Island who took time out from planning an April 5th rally to participate in the vigils.

“History will record this week as possibly the first time Staten Island led NYC boroughs in antiwar protests. Catch the heck up, Manhattan!” – Todd Eaton, maintainer of the NY Protest activist calendar.

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Day One of the protest – at the St. George Recruiting Center
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

On Day One, the vigil outside the Recruiting Center drew 22 protesters, a large gathering in the conservative borough. It also drew the press and the police. The local SI newspaper, the Staten Island Advance, sent a reporter and a photographer (Kiawana Rich). The resulting piece was fair and appreciated by organizers. The NYPD send a community affairs detective, a sergeant and some uniforms. They remained in the background and the protest continued.

Day Two of the protest – outside Borough Hall
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

On Day Two protesters took to the steps of Staten Island’s Borough Hall – laying out large foam boards, each bearing a single number or character. Collectively they read “4000 Dead!” The signs, and the protesters, were highly visible from the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, on the opposite side of busy Richmond Terrace. Other placards listed the Iraqi war related fatalities (estimated be over a million civilians killed), the financial cost of the war to the U.S. and the number of wounded U.S. military personnel (nearing 30,000). Protesters also carried signs that said “Arrest Bush” as well as posters of Iraqi mothers holding their dead children. Three community affairs officers and two radio cars from the 120 Precinct attended the protest. All but two uniformed NYPD left shortly after examining two multipanel posters that showed the “Faces Of The Fallen”. The protest was solemn and peaceful. Some passersby offered to donate money – the organizers thanked them and declined the offer.

Day Three of the protest – outside Vito Fossella’s office
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Day Three. The protesters journeyed to the mid-island office of right wing congressman Vito Fossella. Fossella is well known to the activists as the man who refuses to meet with anyone with whom he disagrees. Two of the protesters were former members of the “Fossella Five”, a group of activists arrested for a sit-in in Fossella’s office in March, 2007. Fossella later dropped the charges. According to organizers he wanted to avoid facing his constituents in court, after ordering their arrest in his office.

“Five years of war, five years of Vito refusing to meet with us,” said Brower.

The protest took place without any police presence and without incident. Motorists driving by were mostly supportive, honking and flashing peace signs.

Day Four of the protest – reading the names of the dead at the SI Mall
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

On the fourth day of the protest activists traveled to Staten Island’s south shore where they visited the Staten Island Mall. The activists spoke to several shopkeepers – at Build A Bear, Things Remembered, Gloria’s Coffee, The Body Shop and several other stores. The response was very good except for the young manager of Hot Topic, a store that markets pre-fab punk attire to young music fans. The manager of Hot Topic told the protesters they were being “disruptive” and she couldn’t “have that in my store”. The activists looked at one another in disbelief and then quickly departed.

In the center of the Mall the group of seven activists read the names of the war dead from New York state. A shop keeper came to thank them and several of those passing by stopped to take fliers and to express their antiwar feelings. Security and NYPD officers in the mall allowed the reading to take place without incident.

Day Five: Tom Miles of MDS stands outside the recruiting center
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

The final protest took place where the week began – at the St. George Recruiting Center. Several recruiters were present. At one point a young Marine PFC and two civilians fumbled with keys as they attempted to unlock the office door. As Elaine Brower approached them to offer the PFC a flier she heard him say, “Hurry up, she’s coming!” Brower smiled at the Marine and gave him a leaflet before returning to the picket line. Brower’s son is an active duty Marine who has served one tour in Afghanistan and another in Iraq. He is slated to be redeployed this year.

“This is where I signed the papers for my son [ to join the US Marine Corps ],” said Elaine Brower as she held a sign reading “4005 Dead – No More”. “You would think they’d come out to welcome me back,” she added.

The 15 protesters drew cheers from drivers on Bay Street. Many motorists honked their horns enthusiastically in response to the “Honk For Peace” placard held by activist Addie Corn of Peace Action.

As the five days drew to a close organizers were exhausted but very pleased with the sustained protests.

“Now, all we have to do is stop the war,” said Tom Good of MDS.

(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)