PROTESTERS RALLY AGAINST ‘TROOP SURGE’

A candlelight vigil to oppose sending more troops to Iraq drew scores of protesters Thursday to 19th Street and Newport Boulevard, one of at least five vigils planned around Orange County.

“People, I think, are frustrated that the message hasn’t gotten across that the country opposes this escalation,” Newport Beach resident Susan KopickiÖ, who planned to attend the vigil, said earlier Thursday. “People just want to get out and have their voice heard about their feelings on an escalation of a war that has already turned totally sour and shouldn’t have happened in the first place.”

Nationwide, at least 585 demonstrations were planned, according to AmericaSaysNo.org, which listed information about the events.