This sign, held by a protester from Boston, was one of the more positive aspects of a protest/counter-protest that unfolded outside the Coast Guard Academy in New London Wednesday morning as President Bush was speaking to graduates inside the gates.

The police estimated a thousand anti-war protesters gathered under a warm spring sun (including, left to right, New Haveners Allie Perry, Ioanna Gutas and Stephen Kobasa holding the anti-torture banner), as world music blared from the public address system and speakers called over and over again to bring the troops home now.

Another New Havener, Frank Panzarella, sang an updated version of Bob Dylan’s “Maggie’s Farm.”

Click here to continue reading Melinda’s report.