NEW LONDON, Conn. — A group of demonstrators called attention to a number of issues outside the Coast Guard Academy in New London, mainly calling for an end to the war in Gaza, all during the academy's 2024 commencement ceremony.
"We’re heartbroken, grief-stricken and angry," said Megan Gately.
"We are standing for peace in this planet, in the environment, which is being destroyed," said Tarak Kauff.
The group Veterans for Peace has been advocating for decades for better military policies and practices. They're also demanding an end to the violence in Gaza.
"This is a genocide, we’re opposed to it, it has to stop," said Kauff.
Demonstrators said the U.S. is funding weapons being used overseas. Pro-Palestinian supporters from other states also came together in solidarity.
"I’m here with these folks marching for peace and standing for peace in Gaza and encouraging our government to reconsider its priorities of sending weapons that are killing children and women and innocent men," said Gately, who came from Massachusetts.
Protestors said they want government officials to focus on investing in issues closer to home.
"We’re spending hundreds of billions of dollars on the weapons and wars. We’re not dealing with education, they're not dealing with infrastructure," said Henry Lowendorf.
They're hoping their movement sparks change moving forward.
"We don’t talk about peace or diplomacy, we’re belligerent as a nation quite frankly and I’m ashamed," said Gately.
The group Veterans for Peace will continue their protests in Washington D.C., hoping to catch the attention of the Biden Administration.
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Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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