March Against the Congressional War Vote

San Francisco -- Hundreds of people marched down Market Street to the Federal Building in protest of the Congressional War Vote on Thursday. The vote gives Bush broad powers in regards to Iraq and Saddam Hussien, including the use of military force.

The Senate passed the war powers resolution 77-23 in a late-night session. The House passed the resolution 296-133 earlier in the day.

California's Senators split their votes: Barbara Boxer voted no, while Diane Feinstein voted to give Bush the power to go to war. Nine of the Bay Area Representatives voted no and two voted yes. Voting no were: Anna Eshoo (D-14 San Mateo), Mike Honda (D-15 Santa Cruz/Santa Clara), Barbara Lee (D-09 Berkeley/Oakland), Zoe Lofgren (D-16 San Jose), George Miller (D-07 Contra Costa/Solano), Nancy Pelosi (D-08 San Francisco), Pete Stark(D-13 Fremont/Hayward), Mike Thompson (D-01 Napa), and Lynn Woolsey (D-06 Sonoma/Marin). Voting yes were: Tom Lantos (D-12 San Francisco/San Mateo) and Ellen Tauscher (D-10 Contra Costa).

After a rally, about 120 people remained to set up a peace camp at the Federal Building for an all night vigil. They held strategy sessions, skill building workshops and jam sessions late into the night. On Friday, October 11, at 7:00am, They are planning an action to take Back the Federal Building which will likely include civil disobedience and a blockade of the building under the slogan 'No Business As Usual'. Many news outlets are already planning to cover the event, and the 120 protestors who are spending the night are hoping that even more people show up in the morning to participate in the blockade. (David Hanks/Global Exchange - Thursday 10 October 2002)