Tempers cool at site of Olympia war protest

Turmoil eases at port; protesters at forum criticize police actions

Heather Woodward | The Olympian • Published November 12, 2007

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Iraq War protesters and military supporters traded barbs with each other throughout Sunday, yelling at each other from the opposite sides of Market Street. The most heated exchanges came when demonstrators from the opposing camps walked onto each other's corners to wave signs or shout from bullhorns.

Iraq War protester Nicole Miller, 25, of Olympia said she decided to walk over to the corner where the military supporters were standing because she thought police were giving them more leeway in their demonstration.

"I was making a point about constitutional rights," said Miller, who stayed at the intersection overnight Saturday.

"When the shipments first arrived, that's when the war came home to my community," she added, explaining her involvement in the protest.

Shipment supporters

Jeff Brigham, 51, of Tumwater, served in the Army for 20 years. He carried a sign that read "God Bless Israeli bulldozers." The sign refers to the death of Olympia resident Rachel Corrie, who was killed by an Israeli bulldozer while attempting to block the destruction of a Gaza home. Brigham, who told protesters that he disapproved of Corrie defending Palestinians, said he came to the port Sunday to support the military.

"I feel it's important to make the point that the military is welcome in our port," he said.

Brigham said he didn't think police officers had acted inappropriately in the way they handled the protesters.

"They always tell the people to leave the road several times before they use force," he said. "As long as people didn't break the law, no one got any force used on them."