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Tuesday, February 15th, 2005
Vigil Planned Against Controversial Soldier Display
Vigil Planned Against Controversial Soldier Display Police Say They Will Have Contingent Of Officers On Hand
SACRAMENTO, Calif.—People who are offended by a Sacramento-area homeowner’s anti-war display, which has gained national attention, are scheduled to hold their own vigil in front of that home Tuesday night. About a week ago, Stephen and Virginia Pearcy put a soldier’s uniform up in front of their Land Park home with the words: “Your Tax Dollars At Work.” A passerby ripped that display down a few days later. A few days later, the Pearcys put up a second soldier display with the words: “Bush Lied, I died.” And on Monday afternoon, that display was ripped down, leaving only the soldier’s glove. And a sticker from President George W. Bush’s campaign had been put on the front window of the home. On Tuesday, a neighborhood resident who wanted to remain anonymous told KCRA 3’s Mike TeSelle that she no longer feels safe because of the controversy, saying things are getting out of hand. “It makes you paranoid. You don’t think with love in your heart. You think with fear,” the woman said. A local group is planning a vigil to protest the images of the two soldiers that hung on the house. They were anti-war messages, according to the home’s owner. Siobhan Guiney, of Move America Forward, is spearheading the demonstration. “I have no idea what to expect, but we’re telling everybody. This is a peaceful opportunity to show the troops we support them,” Guiney said. Authorities have identified the man who allegedly took down the first display as Bryan O’Malley. He turned himself in to authorities on Monday. One resident in the neighborhood indicated to TeSelle that she is worried those acts could be a precursor to more violent acts, saying: “I’m afraid with what people feel they’re allowed to do. It’s a gang mentality, and it doesn’t represent this block.” Sacramento police are stressing that they are treating that concern very seriously. “We will have a contingent of officers there. We don’t expect problems, but we will be ready to deal with them,” said Sacramento Police Department spokesman Sgt. Justin Risley. Even though the homeowners are doing nothing illegal, the city’s code enforcement officials said the homeowners could be cited for doing something detrimental to nearby property if the commotion continues. “They know it’s going to draw a crowd, and they have a responsibility. They need to know it could potentially be a problem,” said Code Enforcement spokesman Josh Pino. On Tuesday evening, the Pearcys said that they succeeded in bringing attention to the war in Iraq, and they will not put up a third display. But they also said they reserve the right to do it again if they feel the need. |
