Hundreds continue protest in Olympia

OLYMPIA – Several hundred demonstrators turned out Saturday to protest shipments of military equipment through the city’s port, but this time no arrests were reported.

More than 60 anti-war demonstrators have been arrested since Nov. 6, trying to block the movement of military equipment used in Iraq back to Fort Lewis. Police used pepper spray and batons to push back protesters.

The last arrests were Thursday as police said the truck shipments were ending. But an estimated 350 to 400 demonstrators turned out Saturday to show support for the protesters and make another call for an end to the war in Iraq.

One protester, Anna-Marie Murano, told KOMO-TV that the demonstrators had accomplished their goal of publicizing their anti-war message.

A handful of counter-protesters were also present at the port Saturday, voicing their support for the war.