As the country prepares to invade Iraq, several University students and faculty are rallying to promote a peaceful alternative resolution.
The Coalition for Alternative to War on Iraq is an organization in which several University students and faculty joined to promote peace. The group rallied with New Orleans Stop War and other organizations Saturday for a two-mile march in New Orleans to protest the impending war on Iraq.
“Our goal is to create a sense among people that everyone is not for the war,” said Jeff Shoji, a CAWI coordinator and University graduate. “Maybe it’ll help those who don’t agree, but don’t know what to do.”
The march’s motto was “Patriotism Begins At Home.”
Shoji said it is not necessary to support President George W. Bush’s decisions in order be patriotic. However, he said the march is not against support for the nation’s military forces.
“The anti-war movement is not anti-military,” Shoji said. “Anyone who values life, values the lives of the soldiers.”
Even former military servicemen participated in the march, such as an organization called Veterans for Peace.
“It’s always good to have someone who’s been there and done that to say ‘don’t do it,'” said Mary Laura Brown, an apparel design senior and CAWI member.
Jessica Brandow, an international studies junior, joined CAWI because peace and nonviolent conflict resolution is important to her.
Brandow labeled the War on Terrorism “un-American.”
“When is peace not patriotic. War is terror,” she said. “I don’t understand how you can have a War on Terror.”
However, some students think the War on Terror is necessary in light of last year’s attacks.
Jeremy Duplechin, an ISDS sophomore and Army ROTC member, said peace is not an option when dealing with terrorists.
“I’m all about peace,” he said. “But it’s time to put our foot down and attempt to put an end to terrorism.”
Nicholas Mascona, a Southeastern Louisiana University student and LSU Army ROTC member, said the protesters should support our government whether they agree with the decision or not.
“If they’re not outraged by what happened on Sept. 11, [2001] something’s wrong with them,” he said.
Amber Janusheske, a chemical engineering freshman, said although she admires the protesters’ boldness, they should support the government.
“I think it’s great they’re exercising their freedom to protest, but they should support the war effort,” she said. “We’re all Americans here.”
Brown got involved because she does not want the country to go to war with Iraq. However, she is skeptical the march will have the influence to stop it.
“The majority of people would say they don’t care [whether the country goes to war or not],” she said. “It’s those people we want to find.”