News

‘No more war’ chants interrupt general

by Ian Swanson - 07/28/16 9:36 PM ET

Gen. John Allen says he trusts Clinton's judgement: "We believe in her vision for a united America." #DemsinPhilly https://t.co/dhiYr1YlPB

— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) July 29, 2016

PHILADELPHIA — Anti-war protesters repeatedly interrupted retired Gen. John Allen on Thursday night as he offered a speech supporting Hillary Clinton for president.

Chants of “no more war” were heard at least three times from pockets of delegates around the Wells Fargo Center at the Democratic National Convention.

{mosads}They were quickly drowned out by others in the arena who chanted “U.S.A.” while waving blue and red signs. Others in the stands waved large American flags.

It was hard to tell in the arena whether the “U.S.A.” chants were intended to drown out anti-war messages or were themselves spontaneous.

But on television, it came across as raucous support behind Allen’s speech.

Many on the left continue to distrust Clinton, the party’s presidential nominee, on issues of national security because of her support for the Iraq War.

Unlike former CIA Director Leon Panetta, who faced similar anti-war chants during his speech on Wednesday, Allen continued his speech over the clamor in the arena.

Making the case for Clinton, Allen said the election boiled down to a fight for the country’s future. Voters, he argued, could pick between “unity and hope” or a “dark place of discord and future.”

“The free peoples of the world look to America as the last best hope for peace and for liberty for all humanity, for we are the greatest country on this planet,” he added. “So we stand before you tonight to endorse Hillary Clinton for President of the United States of America.”

Allen took a shot at GOP nominee Donald Trump, saying that under Clinton, the military “will honor our treaty obligations. We will lead and strengthen NATO.”

He added that Clinton won’t treat foreign policy as a “business transaction.”

“Our armed forces will not become an instrument of torture, and they will not be ordered to engage in murder or carry out other illegal activities,” he said.

Clinton will speak later on Thursday night.

– This story was updated a 10:15 p.m.

Tags Donald Trump Hillary Clinton