350 Rally & March for Peace in San Diego communtiy of Ocean Beach

The day after major demonstrations in San Francisco and Washington DC 350 people gathered in the community of Ocean Beach to voice their support for peace and their opposition to a military invasion of Iraq. Carol Jahnkow of the Peace Resource Center and the San Diego Coalition for Peace & Justice as well as members of OBGO spoke to the crowd that gathered at the foot of Newport Avenue. Speakers kept the crowd interested and gave them some laughs as well.

After hearing the speakers the crowd was ready to march. Drummers from the Super Sonic Samba School and others kept the beat as the marchers started down Abbott Street.

The marchers decided to turn up Cape May Avenue taking their message into the residential community. Marchers where at one point confronted by a large man who attempted to block the marchers by standing in the middle of the sidewalk. Police quickly moved him to the side.

The march wound it's way back down Newport Avenue and moved off the sidewalk into the streets. The San Diego Police and RSVP were helpful in keeping the crowd moving and some even had smiles to share with the marchers.

After returning to the starting point many protesters continued the march out on to the pier. There Gregg Robinson of OBGO spoke to the memory of peace activist and Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone. Flowers were cast in to the sea as the sun set and mourners pledged to continue the struggle for peace