San Diego Veterans for Peace Protests on Flag Day

An assortment of peaceniks, activists, war veterans, and their families gathered on the Sixth Avenue overpass of Interstate 5 at around 4 p.m. on June 14, Flag Day.

They were there, in the words of one activist, to “take over this bridge,” to protest against the wars and armed conflicts the U.S. finds itself embroiled in around the world.

“We need people to get off their asses,” commented one of the protesters. “Everyone who sees us today and honks in support, it’s now their turn to show up and actively voice an opinion. If they were all up here, we could take over 60 bridges.”

Horns blasted at a rate of one about every ten seconds in support of the group. Many of the signs fastened to the chain-link fencing had copies of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment taped to the back, affirming that “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech…or the right of the people peaceably to assemble…” The group has reported objections by law enforcement in the past to their placement of the signs.

San Diego Veterans for Peace was the organizing force behind the event. The group regularly stages demonstrations around town, frequently gathering on freeway crossings to post signs demanding an end to the wars.