The actor/activist had the word "Peace" duct-taped over his mouth. He let others
do the talking out in front of the Federal building.
One after another, demonstrators read from a written "prayer" by Sheen, as the man who plays the president
on TV's "The West Wing" held a large painted wooden cross at the rally outside the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles.
"By some demented form of logic, the men, women and children of Iraq are relegated to `collateral damage'
as the dogs of war slouch toward Baghdad," one demonstrator said, reading the written statement from Sheen.
Three people were led away by police after walking up to officers in front of the building and refused
to leave. It was not immediately clear if they had been arrested.
Others protesters clapped as they were led away.
About 60 people turned out for the vigil for peace and the safe return of U.S. soldiers. Some carried
handmade signs with such slogans as "Stop U.S. War in Iraq," "Peace Now" and "We Support Our Troops -- Bring Them Back Alive."
Others held up a large banner with the words, "War is Not the Answer."
Occasionally, the sounds of car horns honking on protest could be heard. One driver held his fingers
up in the peace sign.
Bernard White of Los Angeles said he thought it was important to be a part of the prayer vigil because
"this is truly a peaceful protest ... not a protest to condemn George Bush."
Another woman who identified herself only as Lashoma of Santa Monica said she came to be a part of
the prayer vigil because she wanted "to see what non-violent civil disobedience is."
As for Sheen keeping mum during the vigil, the woman said, "The only impression I got is that he was
tired of talking any more."
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