STAFF WRITER

  As people showed their patriotism by commemorating Veterans Day around DuPage County, one group showed its patriotism in another way Saturday afternoon.

  They spoke, sang, and showed signs protesting the war against terrorism.

  "Be patriotic: Question the wisdom of war!" read one sign.

  "War is terrorism, too," read another.

  More protests came verbally as about 150 people gathered on the steps of the DuPage County Courthouse for a peace rally and march sponsored by the DuPage Peace Through Justice Coalition. Members of community and faith-based organizations made the gathering one of the first anti-war demonstrations in the western suburbs.

  "I'm proud to know 'peacemakers of DuPage' is not an oxymoron," said Michael McConnell of the American Friends Service Committee.

  Representatives from various advocacy groups spoke against bombing Afghanistan. Instead, they want U.S. legislators to support negotiations to bring terrorists to justice peacefully.

  Cathy Downs Hughes of DuPage Peace Through Justice said preventing future terrorism with military action is not the solution.

  "It's like trying to rid your lawn of dandelions by kicking off their white heads," she said, noting how that spreads the seeds and leaves the roots intact.

  Streamwood resident Asif Razzak, holding a sign that said, "Stop the bombs," agreed.

  "More violence — I don't think bombing will stop that," he said. "Rather than be reactionary, we need to give thought to the cause."

  The more than three-hour rally and march, which followed County Farm Road from the courthouse to the Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and Clinics on Roosevelt Road, included veterans, students, clergy and families.

  The received mixed reactions from passersby, many of whom honked their car horns or waved peace signs in support. Others shouted or showed "thumbs down" signs. One County Farm Road family responded by gathering on their lawn, shouting and waving wooden guns as protesters passed their house.

  Carol Montgomery-Fate of Glen Ellyn brought her husband, 7- and 4-year-old daughters and 4-month-old son to the protest — which wasn't the infant's first ever, she said. She used the opportunity to teach her children they're allowed to stand up for their beliefs, even if they differ from others' beliefs.

  "I've been very pleased (with the response)," she said. "It's been a lot less negative than I feared, and I was afraid because I brought my kids here."

11/14/01