Iraq vet lapping state capitol to oppose war

As the unnamed vet carries the name of a different fallen comrade around the capitol with each lap, others carry the names Iraqis killed during the U.S. attack on their country. At this time the vet has completed over 170 nearly half-mile loops around the building. He hopes to cover all 350 California dead by Wednesday night or Thursday morning, marching 24-hours a day. Come out to support this action! The support staging area is located on L Street at 12th Street.

The Iraq War vet served in Iraq during the initial invasion in 2003 as an Army medic attached to an infantry unit. During yesterday’s early morning Memorial Day kick off press conference, and for some of the laps, he was joined by Patrick Sheehan, father of Army Spc. Casey Sheehan who was killed in Iraq in April 2004, and Casey’s younger brother Andy. The unnamed vet has been supported by members of Veterans for Peace Chapter 87, Military Families Speak Out, Sacramento Coalition to End the War, Iraq Veterans Against the War, and Courage to Resist.

Also yesterday morning, three students who set off walking from San Francisco a week prior marched up to the capitol building and joined the vet and supporters for a few solidarity laps. The students are marching to Washington DC to call for an end to the Iraq War. By 10:00 yesterday, they began their eastward trek down J Street, and eventually along a river trail to Folsom. They will be walking Route 50 to Carson City, Nevada in the coming days. For more information, see http://www.marchforpeace.info.