Dozen turn out to protest Marine exercises | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star
About a dozen people turned out today at the corner of 38th and Fall Creek Avenue to protest Marine plans to stage military exercises in Indianapolis.
The protest comes after an announcement that about 2,300 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., will conduct training from Wednesday through June 19 in and around Indianapolis.
The training will take place at the old Eastgate Consumer Mall, Brookside Park and other Indianapolis locations to simulate urban warfare conditions. The Marines’ training will include conducting patrols, reacting to ambushes and firing weapons.
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"We do not want to promote war," said protester Mary Heins, 66, Indianapolis. "You're giving tacit approval to war when you bring in the military to practice in our midst."
Among the messages displayed on signs carried by some of the protesters included "No war games in Indianapolis," "War is not the answer," and "Marines, not in our children's parks."
The demonstration drew honks from passing cars, and one vehicle sporting a "Support our Troops" magnet waved a large American flag out its window at the protesters.
The protest was scheduled to last until 6 p.m. tonight.
About a dozen people turned out today at the corner of 38th and Fall Creek Avenue to protest Marine plans to stage military exercises in Indianapolis.
The protest comes after an announcement that about 2,300 Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., will conduct training from Wednesday through June 19 in and around Indianapolis.
The training will take place at the old Eastgate Consumer Mall, Brookside Park and other Indianapolis locations to simulate urban warfare conditions. The Marines’ training will include conducting patrols, reacting to ambushes and firing weapons.
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"We do not want to promote war," said protester Mary Heins, 66, Indianapolis. "You're giving tacit approval to war when you bring in the military to practice in our midst."
Among the messages displayed on signs carried by some of the protesters included "No war games in Indianapolis," "War is not the answer," and "Marines, not in our children's parks."
The demonstration drew honks from passing cars, and one vehicle sporting a "Support our Troops" magnet waved a large American flag out its window at the protesters.
The protest was scheduled to last until 6 p.m. tonight.