Wearing sandals and the orange robes of a Hindu monk, Swami Paramananda ventured down from his reclusive mountain monastery near Nederland to join a peace rally at the state Capitol on Saturday.
“I don’t come out of isolation very often,” Paramananda said. “Sometimes, you got to come out and show your colors.”
More than 1,000 people joined Paramananda on the west steps of the Capitol to chant slogans, wave placards and give speeches.
The rally, sponsored by the 3 November Movement, which is made up of several political groups, coincided with other national and international anti- war protests.
“Our rallying cry (is) get U.S. out now: out of Iraq and out of our complacency and into action,” said Claire Ryder of the 3 November Movement.
Bob Shepherd wore a yellow rubber duck beak on his chin and spoke about his son, an Army military police sergeant serving his second tour in Iraq.
“He’s a sitting duck as far as I’m concerned,” Shepherd said of his son, who attended Mullen High School. “I’m concerned we shouldn’t listen to a lame duck.”
Shepherd said soldiers are forced to use jamming devices that fail to prevent roadside bombs from exploding.
His son wants to come home and go to college.
“He’s served his dues,” Shepherd said. “It’s time for him to come home.”
During the rally, hundreds of people chanted “Troops home now” and “Impeach Bush.”
Dozens of people waved signs, including one in the form of a wanted poster with a picture of President Bush wearing a long, unkempt beard that said, “Osama Bush Laden.”
Staff writer Kirk Mitchell can be reached at 303-820-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com.
