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"In light of the horrific shootings this month at Virginia Tech, it is totally inappropriate for the government to subject the residents of Richmond to the sights and sounds of simulated urban warfare," said Ana Edwards, spokesperson for the Defenders, the Richmond-based community organization that initiated the protest. The Defenders earlier called on Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder to appeal to the Marine Corps and FBI to cancel the exercises. Neither official has responded to that request.

The 11-day urban warfare exercises were scheduled to begin April 19 "two days after the Virginia Tech tragedy "and culminate with a ground exercise on the evening of April 29.

According to a press release issued by the office of Mayor L. Douglas Wilder on April 17, the day after the Virginia Tech shootings, "Citizens may see and hear low-flying helicopters during the time period and may hear simulated sounds of combat, including gunfire with blank ammunition, particularly on April 29."

Edwards noted that the time period mentioned includes April 20, the day designated as a national day of mourning for the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings.

"This exercise is inappropriate on so many levels," Edwards said. "First, the sound of gunfire will be deeply disturbing to many city residents, particularly children, already upset by the tragic events at Virginia Tech. Second, it perpetuates the atmosphere of conflict that can create a context for such senseless acts of violence. And third, it implies official local support for the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan."

According to Capt. Clark Carpenter, spokesperson for the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, the Marines involved in the exercise "will be deployed soon and this training is critical."

The mayor's release also points to one more disturbing aspect of the exercises: the cooperation of the FBI -- a domestic investigative and law enforcement agency -- with the military.

"We are pleased to support the Marine Corps in its efforts to better prepare our soldiers for potential combat in urban areas abroad as well as right here on home soil, if ever needed," Mayor Wilder states in the release.

For more information, please call (804) 644-5834 or e-mail DefendersFJE@hotmail.com.

The following 37 organizations and individuals have called for the cancellation of the "Urban Warfare Exercises"

Forrest Akers, Richmond community activist -- Black Campus Progressives, Hampton University -- Breanne Armbrust, VP, Communications Workers of America Local 2201, Richmond * -- Janet Armstead, Block Captain Coordinator, 7 Eyes of Jackson Ward Neighborhood Watch, Richmond -- Margaret Breslau, Steering Committee, Virginia Anti-War Network, Blacksburg -- Rain Burroughs, A28.org Richmond impeachment event -- Charlottesville Center for Peace & Justice -- Duron Chavis, Happily Natural Day, Get Conscious Think Collective, Richmond -- Elena Day, Charlottesville -- Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality, Richmond -- John Gallini, Pax Christi Richmond -- Hampton Roads Peace & Justice Coalition -- Lois Jones, Richmond Women in Black * -- Lillie Kennedy, R. I. H. D., Inc., nonprofit volunteer group -- Kathleen Kenney, former director, Richmond Catholic Diocese Office of Peace and Justice * -- Malachy Kilbride, member, D.C. Anti-War Network; bd. member, Washington Peace Center; national coordinating committee member, Declaration of Peace * -- Michelle R. Kirby, Co-founder, Richmond Women in Black * -- Allen Layman, President, United Electrical Workers Local 160, Staunton -- Jamilah LeCruise, student, University of Richmond * -- Little Flower Catholic Worker, Louisa County -- Rev. Dr. Paul S. Martin, Change Of Heart Ventures Evangelistic Ministries, Richmond -- Luna Negra, Norfolk peace activist -- Tom Palumbo, member, Veterans For Peace, Norfolk * -- Pax Christi Richmond -- The People United, Shannon Farms -- Robin Edward Poulton, President, V-Peace, Virginia Institute for Peace and Islamic Studies, Richmond -- Prosser-Truth Division #456, UNIA-ACL, Richmond -- The Richmond Defender newspaper -- Richmond Green Party -- Richmond Peace Education Center -- Tanja Softic, Associate Professor, University of Richmond * -- David Swanson, D.C. Director, Democrats.com; co-founder, AfterDowningStreet.org; bd. member, Progressive Democrats of America * -- United Parents Against Lead United, Inc., Richmond -- VCU Anti-War Network -- Virginia Anti-War Network (VAWN) -- Woodbridge Workers Committee -- Cathy Woodson, Board Chair, Richmond Peace Education Center

* Organization listed for identification purposes only