Katrina response moves protesters.

Byline: Serena Markstrom The Register-Guard

About 50 people gathered at the Federal Building on Wednesday during the evening commute to remind drivers the United States is still engaged in what they call an unjust occupation in Iraq.

A small group has convened at the courthouse each Wednesday since Sept. 11, 2001, but this week's gathering not only was larger but included anti-racism messages regarding Hurricane Katrina on the list of objections to the government.

"Sometimes tragedy activates us," said Jen Frenzer-Knowlton, who's on the board for Justice Not War, one of the event's sponsors.

Frenzer-Knowlton said connecting the war in Iraq to the administration's slow and inadequate response to the mostly poor, black Louisiana residents who were trapped highlights the Bush White House's misdirected priorities.

Some passing drivers honked in support and others gave hoots and thumbs up to express their approval of the group's messages. Many demonstrators carried rainbow-colored flags reading "Peace" and the Italian version: "Pace."

"We're not against people, we are for peace," said Betsy Steffensen, who has distributed 1,200 peace flags since the war began. "Peace is not against anything. I don't hate Mr. Bush, I just don't agree with him."

Steffensen cited right-wing radio talk shows as one reason anti-war activists are misunderstood. She said some of the resistance to her peace work has been based on ignorance and misinformation.

During other weekly protests, Bush supporters have shown up to oppose the peace message, calling it un-American, but no such protesters attended this hourlong vigil.

Some stayed after the peace gathering ended at 5:30 p.m. and participated in "Camp David," a 48-hour around-the-clock vigil.

Kurt Sterling came from Cottage Grove to man the Camp David tent, which is inspired by Cindy Sheehan's "Camp Casey," erected near President Bush's home in Crawford, Texas. Sterling said he was there because, "it's the least I can do."

Many at Wednesday's rally credit Sheehan's protests with revitalizing the anti-war move- ment.

The Eugene camp is named after David Johnson, an Oregon National Guardsman killed last September by a roadside bomb in Iraq.

Camp David's organizers are also trying to reach Oregon's two senators, Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith, whom protesters want to support legislation that would halt funding for the Iraq war and devise an exit strategy for U.S. soldiers there. A banner reading "Wake up Wyden; Stand up Smith" hung at the tent.

The vigil kicked off a month of anti-war activities.

The next event is called the "Ribbon of Tangible Hope" procession. That event begins at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, also at the Federal Building.