Today's Virginian Pilot has a story (http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=135122&ran=149404&tref=po) about a protest effort at Blackwater USA's headquarters in Moyock, North Carolina, roughly 25 miles as the bird flies from Norfolk. Here are some highlights:Seven people were arrested Saturday at Blackwater Worldwide’s front entrance after protesters re-enacted the Sept. 16 shooting incident in Baghdad involving Blackwater contractors in which 17 Iraqis died. The protesters drove a small gray station wagon, covered with simulated bullet holes and smeared with red paint, onto Blackwater’s property. One lay back in the driver’s seat and five others got out and lay on the ground, as if they had been shot.
The scene was intended to mimic that in Baghdad’s Nisour Square, where an Iraqi doctor and her son died in a fusillade of gunfire as their car approached a Blackwater diplomatic convoy. The protesters also smeared red handprints on two Blackwater signs. Currituck County sheriff’s deputies, called to the scene by Blackwater guards, told the protesters they were on private property and asked them to leave. When they didn’t respond, they were handcuffed and placed in a sheriff’s van. Some went limp and had to be dragged.
A crowd of about 50 more protesters who had gathered along the adjacent public road cheered as the seven were driven away. The group carried signs with slogans such as “Bring Blackwater to Justice,” “Security Contractors are Unlawful Combatants” and “Blackwater: Shoot First, Ask No Questions.”
The protest was organized by the Norfolk Catholic Worker and Blackwater Watch, an activist group based in Durham, N.C. Christian Stalberg, a spokesman for Blackwater Watch, said the group’s aim is to “shut down Blackwater.” “It’s an unmitigated disaster,” he said. “They’re irresponsible and totally unaccountable.”
Fortunately, many of those leaving comments on the story are not knee jerk, shoot them and ask questions later knuckle draggers.
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