March 22, 2011 10:47 AM EDT
Americans who are opposed to the U.S. participating in air strikes against Libya have held small (and thus far peaceful) demonstrations across the country, although there doesn’t appear to be a large national movement against the action yet.
That could change if the Libyan campaign continues to drag on into a stalemate; and especially if it is proven that military assaults have led to civilian deaths.
Some protesters are simultaneous protesting the U.S. involvement in Iraq, which is now entering its eighth anniversary.
In the San Francisco area, some local Democratic politicians are incensed by U.S. involvement in Libya and claim that President Barack Obama violated the law and the Constitution by participating in air strikes.
"The president has violated the War Powers Resolution," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.
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Lofgren pointed out that the president can authorize military force in only three specific cases: a declaration of war; specific statutory authorization; or a national emergency created by attack upon the United States, its territories or possessions, or its armed forces.
"Have any of those things happened?" Lofgren pondered.
Rep. Mike Honda, D-San Jose, accused the Obama administration of sending a "message to the world that American democracy is deeply dysfunctional."
Rep. Barbara Lee, a Democrat from Oakland, asked "What is our responsibility and commitment there? Where do we draw the line for military intervention considering unrest and violence [in nations such as Congo, Ivory Coast and Yemen]?”
Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, added: "The idea that we could be stepping into a third war ... just makes me sick to my stomach to tell you the honest truth."
However, at least one prominent Bay Area Democrat has defended the President.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, praised Obama "for his leadership and prudence on how our nation will proceed in regards to Libya and work in concert with European and Arab allies to address the crisis."
Meanwhile, The White House sent a letter to U.S. Congress explaining Obama is acting in the "national security and foreign policy interests of the United States."
Democrats who oppose intervention in Libya even have the support of some Republicans.
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