Berkeley eases anti-Marines stance

Anti-war protesters battle police and military supporters in a massive protest outside City Hall in Berkeley, Calif., on Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2008. The all-day protest is in anticipation of the Berkeley City Council reconsidering their vote that tells U.S. Marines recruiters that they aren't welcome in Berkeley. (Alison Yin/Staff)

"By Kristin Bender
STAFF WRITER,
Angela Hart
Correspondent
and Associated Press
Article Launched: 02/12/2008 10:36:42 AM PST"
City Council members who were criticized for telling Marine recruiters they don't belong in Berkeley are moderating their position.
They now say they oppose the war in Iraq but support the troops.
Berkeley's City Council voted two weeks ago to send a letter to a downtown recruiting station advising the Marines they were not welcome.
In a session that stretched into early Wednesday, the council said they recognize recruiters' right to be in Berkeley. The council reiterated its opposition to the war but said, "We deeply respect and support the men and women in our armed forces."

"4:35 p.m.
Red, white and blue far outnumbered pink now in the runup to
the 7 p.m. city council meeting."

""It's hard to get through these deployments," said Deborah Johns of Granite
Bay, near Folsom, who also is a Blue Star mom. "Stop harassing our military!"
She supports the recruiting station."

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