“One, two, three, four! We don’t want your stupid war!”

Chants like these and Occupy-inspired “mic checks” could be heard outside the Armed Forces Career Center in Fremont Friday, as protestors gathered to denounce the war in Afghanistan and voice their opposing opinions regarding the United States military recruiting children for duty.

“What we’re trying to do is make a connection between these social movements that have been growing in popularity,” said Oakland resident Haroun Arsalai, an event organizer for the protest.

“There has been a lot of fright in our community about speaking out, about saying things that are anti-American, because of the repression that comes down,” added Arsalai. “We’re trying to align the anti-war movement with the Afghan community and basically give them the backing that they need to stand up.”

Roughly 75 protesters, belonging to several organizations including Afghans for Peace, Iraq Veterans Against the War and even some Occupy Oakland members, brought signs and loudspeakers to the local recruitment office, adjacent to the Fremont BART station.

The planned presence was publicized in advance, and while it was unclear if there were any staff members at the recruitment office during the protest, it was not open during regular business hours.

An Army recruiting officer from the Center, who declined to identify himself, said they were well aware of the protest.

The officer thought the inclusion of groups such as Occupy brought the opportunity for ruckus and it would be best they avoided conflict by not being present.
The protesters said their action was a peaceful one at its core.

“We’re trying to create a consciousness in the community, and arise awareness for what’s been going on; the events overseas in Afghanistan, in Iraq, here in the United States, and the recruiting of our own young children in our schools,” said Abass Darab, 19, another speaker at the gathering.

“[The military is] going to middle schools to recruit young kids, and making it out to be this glorious thing where they don’t really give the whole story of what’s going on,” added Darab. “We believe it’s completely unjust to be recruiting at such a young age.”

While the general attitude at the event was peaceful, loud outbursts of anger and frustration could be heard sporadically.

Alejandro Quinonez, 67, a veteran of the U.S. Navy engaged in a screaming match with some of the other protestors.

“My brother died for this f***ing country!” [sic] he shouted.

Insulted by some of the signage he saw at the protest, Quinonez argued that it was disrespectful to the military.

“I feel that what’s happening here, [is that] we’re a little bit misguided, because they are having the demonstration at a recruiting station, instead of having it in front of a congressman,” said Quinonez.

Quinonez added that people need to remember that elected officials are the ones who send the military into conflict around the world.

“Humanity doesn’t make news. Only some aberration is newsworthy,” said Quinonez, referring to the killings of 17 Afghan civilians, including women and children, in the Kandahar province of Afghanistan on March 11 by U.S. Staff Sgt. Robert Bales.

As the event wrapped up, speakers encouraged those in attendance to join at upcoming events around the Bay Area.

The protest then coalesced into a march that moved down Paseo Padre Parkway and onto the even busier thoroughfare of Mowry Avenue.

The group brought along signage and loudspeakers and walked in the middle of the streets, completely obstructing traffic on the westbound side. Honks were greeted with enthusiasm and some arguments between motorists and protestors were seen.