Libertarians, progressives protest war

6/27/2014

Two groups from opposite ends of the political spectrum took up signs together at a South Toledo intersection Thursday evening to protest renewed U.S. involvement in the war in Iraq.

About 10 people, split about evenly between libertarians and progressives, shared space at Glendale and Byrne avenues, both holding anti-war signs.

Ron Johns, 22, of South Toledo is a member of the Lucas County Republican Central Committee who identifies with libertarian-leaning U.S. Rand Paul (R., Ky.). He said the United States should stay away from fighting in Iraq because, “we should only fight wars that involve us personally.”

Protesters carried signs with messages such as, “Stop unconstitutional war,” “Say NO to another Iraq War,” and “Obama said he’‍d end Bush’s war — still waiting.”

Jeff Klein, 57, of Toledo, a member of the steering committee of the Northwest Ohio Peace Coalition, said his group was pleased to join the event organized by the libertarian activists.

“We are saying to our government in Washington that we don’t want to meddle over there in Iraq. It won’‍t do any good, and at worst it’ll do a lot of harm,” said Mr. Klein, who said he usually votes Green Party.

Kris Moazed, 65, a retired social worker from West Toledo, said she agrees with sending advisers, since “we sort of tore up their country,” but no more.

“I hope they stick with advising and don’t start carrying weapons,” she said.