NATION : Anti-Gulf Protesters Spill Oil
WASHINGTON — Half a dozen demonstrators opposed to U.S. military involvement in the Persian Gulf poured a quart of oil onto a patio in front of the American Petroleum Institute today to show support for a Marine who refused to be sent to Saudi Arabia.
The protesters read a message from the 22-year-old Marine, Cpl. Jeffrey Paterson, who is confined to his base in Hawaii awaiting a court-martial.
Paterson’s message urged other Americans to join him in saying: “Hell, no, we won’t go, we won’t fight for Texaco.â€
Two counter-demonstrators also showed up.
David Almasi, who said he worked in a building next door, came to the lunchtime rally with a handmade sign asking: “Why did Jeff Paterson join the Marines? To surf? Or the free paycheck?â€
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