February 15, 2003

Galveston Peace Action Network 

About 125 people turned out for an anti-war rally at Galveston's Federal Building on Saturday.

"I know this war is imminent, but it's not unavoidable and that is why we are here today," said Mark Muhich of the Galveston Peace Action Network, who organized the event.  

"You know the pope is opposed to the war," said Father Paul Banet of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, a World War II prisoner of war who has demonstrated against war since the Viet Nam War.  "This is a catastrophe about to begin.  No one who has any idea of war has any concept that this is anything good for America."

"I am here today just to add my opinion and to support all of this movement, which is anti-war," said Mamdouh Mahmoud, of the new Islamic Center on Broadway. "War is not something good.  War does not bring peace to people."

Other speakers included a representative of Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam and County Democratic Chair Mary Ellen Brennen.

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