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| Students Demonstrate
Disapproval of Impending War
Maryland Newsline Thursday, March 6, 2003 COLLEGE PARK, Md. --They marched through mud, shouted and chanted until they were hoarse, held up traffic, and got yelled at by the police, all in the name of peace. As part of a nationwide anti-war movement by young people, a crowd of about 400 students, staffers and faculty at the University of Maryland, College Park took time out of their daily routines Wednesday to show how they feel about a possible U.S.-led war with Iraq. Students skipped midday classes to gather with faculty and staff on McKeldin Mall, then marched through the campus to peacefully protest the impending war. The March 5 Strike Committee -- which on campus united the Peace Forum, the Muslim Students Association and Students and Workers Unite -- planned the walkout as part of a national effort by high school and college students. Campus rally organizer Aliza Sollins, 19, an English major, said the committee recognizes that the demonstration would not necessarily affect the Bush administration’s decision on Iraq. “Do I think it’s honestly going to stop the war? No,” said the sophomore. “But I do think it’s positive to show solidarity with the peace movement.” The White House press office did not return calls. The rally was also a chance for students to individually voice their opinions and concerns. Cathrina Jacob, 21, a senior psychology major, said she is concerned about her younger brother being drafted, and about her future.
“I do not think we should go to war,” she said. “I’m for … negotiating in a civilized manner. If we blow them to pieces, they can come right back.” Rally organizers said they were happily surprised by the turnout. “I’m definitely pleased with the number of people who came,” Sollins said. “It’s more than I expected.”The university left it up to faculty to decide whether or not to excuse students from class, but it took no position on the protest, said Dave Ottalini, senior media relations associate. “The reason for going to college is in part to learn free speech,” Ottalini said, “and this is a wonderful place to learn that.” A '60s Flashback
The rally featured speeches, songs, poetry and music. One of the highlights was a comedy sketch by Jim Nieb, an area actor, comedian and variety performer, who impersonated George W. Bush fielding questions from the press. Campus police stationed themselves on the edge of the crowd during the protest and escorted the demonstrators during the march. Police spokeswoman Maj. Cathy Atwell said police met with organizers before the rally and heard what they were planning so they could provide them with a safe environment. Police made no arrests, she said. Some campus administrators also attended the rally. Marsha Guenzler-Stevens, director of campus programs, said she wanted to be sure everything went smoothly. “I’m mostly here to make sure that this event goes well and that students are safe to … exercise their opinion, and also in support of their cause,” she said. Members of the campus community stopped and stared as the throng of demonstrators snaked around campus chanting slogans such as, “This is what democracy looks like. Bush is what hypocrisy looks like.” Counter-protestors Support President Meanwhile, members of the Maryland Federation of College Republicans staged a counter-protest in front of McKeldin Library. About 25 members of the group turned up to show that "not all college students are flaming liberals who hate the president and hate the country," said Chairman Seth Schraier. "We just wanted to make sure people know that there's another side to this," Schraier said. Schraier added that the group was not discouraged by the fact that they were greatly outnumbered by the anti-war protestors. "We don't feel that we need numbers to show that we support the president and ... the country," he said. The only tense moment came when the demonstration reached U.S. Route 1 and police tried to keep protestors on the sidewalk. Police became agitated and shouted at students who refused to step out of the road. And although the demonstration held up traffic for a few minutes, some drivers honked their horns to show support. The demonstration was one of about 400 that took place Wednesday at high schools and colleges around the country, said Andy Burns, an organizer with the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition, which coordinated the events. The walkouts varied in size from several hundred to several thousand, Burns said. “There has been no youth-centered anti-war action yet. That’s why this was significant,” Burns said. Campus rally co-organizer Setareh Ghandehari, 19, a government and history major, said she could hardly believe the support from the community. “It’s amazing,” she said. “The energy here is amazing.” Coalition members say there may be more events in the future. If the United States does go to war with Iraq, they plan to have another demonstration at noon on the day war is declared. Copyright © 2003 University of Maryland Philip Merrill College of Journalism
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