ST. LOUIS–(KMOX)–Protestors marching in support of Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi chanted “hands off Libya,” and “stop the bombing,” as they picketed outside a federal building in downtown St. Louis.
Organizer Zaki Baruti, President of the Universal African Peoples Organization, says U-S military action in Libya is wrong.
“Africa can and must handles its own affairs,” Baruti said, “Stop the bombing and military intervention in Libya and Africa.”
Baruti was asked how the group can defend Gaddafi, when many Libyans claim his regime is repressive and they are risking their lives to try to oust him.
“We feel that there’s a distortion and not an even-handed reporting,” Baruti said. He added that he believes Gaddafi has raised the standard of living in his country since he came to power, and he has provided “free education” for the Libyan people.
Another protestor, Akbar Mohammed, took aim at the “no-fly zone.” “It doesn’t even the playing field,” Mohammed said, “because the no-fly zone has turned into an attack on the ground of the forces on the ground of brother Gaddafi”
The group is calling on the United States to honor the wishes of the African Union, which was seeking a peaceful end to the crisis when the U-S led military intervention was unleashed.
Copyright KMOX.
