On 15SEP07 our friend Carlos Arredondo was attacked by counter protesters. You can google his name to find out the specifics and read a members speak post titled "Two Boots" by Justin Cliburn to know exactly why it is so reprehensible to attack this man.

The pro-war demonstrators have shown exactly why it is we fight to end this war. These people impassioned with so much misguided anger lash out on the father of a Marine who gave his life in the war they support. These pro-war people are not our enemy. They have no power to dictate this war and their frustration has been poured out on a peaceful man like Carlos because of the success we as a movement are achieving. They are only acting as tools used by those that benefit from this war. Just as the Iraqi people will not be beat into submission neither will Carlos or the peace movement. It teaches us to be careful when we are out at protests but it also shows us how important it is to keep our "military bearing" (or should it be moral bearing at this point) to show both them and the world that we live to a higher standard indeed. We realize that the American people as a country, our service members and the Iraqi people are being systematically hurt by war. We all deserve better.

From Democracy Now:
Pro-War Protesters Assault Father Of Soldier Killed in Iraq
A counter-demonstration was also held by supporters of the war. One prominent peace activist Carlos Arredondo was beaten by pro-war activists. Arredondo's son Alex died in Iraq three years ago. To honor Alex's memory, Carlos has been crisscrossing the country pulling a flag-draped coffin. He marched with the coffin on Saturday and then left the march to return the coffin to his truck. That's when a pro-war supporter tried to rip a photo of Carlos' son from the coffin. When Carlos tried to save the photograph, he said a group of pro-war activists attacked him.

Carlos Arredondo: "I was assaulted by a group of pro-war people. They come into the ground, and they kicked me and punched me. As a citizen of this country, it’s my duty and my responsibility to participate. As a father, who I lost my son in Iraq, I got to honor my son."