An ambivalent public remains noticeably silent over the airstrikes in Yugoslavia. After several weeks of small crowds and dreary weather, organizers of protests against the bombings in Yugoslavia were pleased to see a bright spring sky and a respectable showing at last Saturday's rally at the South Park Blocks. Yet unlike both the Vietnam War and the Gulf War, the fighting in Yugoslavia has provoked little public outcry. In 1991 Portland attracted national media attention when more than 10,000 people came out to protest the bombings in Iraq. Last Saturday's protest, by comparison, drew about 250 people and received little coverage from even local media.
Activists say there are a number of reasons for the lack of public involvement.
Second, activists say, because a Democratic president initiated the military campaign, many liberals are reluctant to criticize the airstrikes. Dan Handelman of Peace and Justice Works agrees. There's never any talk of trying to settle the conflict through means other than military intervention, of negotiations with people other than the leaders who have created this war. Another reason for the low protester turnout may simply be time. In the Gulf War, the buildup of troops preceding the actual bombing campaign lasted four months, giving people more opportunity to debate and question the real motivations behind and possible consequences of a U.S.-led bombing campaign in Iraq.