Posted by
Rick Amato on Monday, September 25, 2006 12:55:58 AM
Demonstrations of support for the
Pendleton 8 are spreading in southern California.
For the second straight weekend a
lively demonstration occurred in the upscale community of Huntington Beach, CA located in Orange County. In Oceanside, CA the number of demonstrators outside the gates of Camp Pendleton are growing in number, after having experienced an initial dip this summer.
The personal motivation of each person demonstrating varies.
After interviewing several of the demonstrators I have found their motivation generally boils down to one of four reasons: 1) They are upset at the
government's mistreatment of the Pendleton 8 2) They have a general mistrust
of the military judicial system 3) They are infuriated over a perceived presumption of guilt portrayed in the media 4) They believe the 'The
Pendleton 8' are innocent.Originally, demonstrations began outside the gates of Camp Pendleton and went largely unnoticed to the outside world. That all changed when a housewife and mother (and demonstrator) named Christina phoned in to the nationally syndicated
Michael Savage Show. Savage brought national attention to both the treatment of 'The 8' and their supporters.
Defense attorney
Joseph Low has said, "They (Pendleton 8) cannot see the demonstrators...They cannot hear the demonstrators...But they can feel their energy".
Demonstrations have also
raised money to aid families of 'The Pendleton 8' with their legal defense fees.