SANTA CRUZ, CA - The city known otherwise for its mild weather, expensive housing and cruel ordinances against the jobless on Pacific Avenue turned out in by the thousands today to protest war and advocate for peaceful alternatives. In an event co-sponsored by the Santa Cruz Peace Coalition and the Resource Center for Nonviolence, a broad cross-section citizens of the city and county turned out to listen to an impressive lineup of informed speakers and inspiring musical guests. Bettina Aptheker and Diane Patterson shook the crowd, as did Stephen Zunes, Mark Levy and many others.

The program began on the Courthouse steps at 11:00 AM with some music and speakers. This was followed at Noon by a mass procession of 5,000 to 7,000 people along Water street, past the town clock, then up to Mission Plaza Park. At the park there were information booths, food, drinks, shirts and a variety of activities for children.

There were reports of two powerful “M-80” type fireworks exploding near the event. One was reported coming from a bush near the church, while the other blew apart a metal box next to the town clock, located one block from the park. No injuries were reported from either incident.

Bettina spoke of the unprecedented breadth and depth of the peace movement, a milestone not reached even after years of fighting in Vietnam. She said that if ever a war could be stopped before it is started, it would be now.