Nationwide war protests on college campuses last week, in which students participated in walkouts and other demonstrations, caused many students to take a stance on the upcoming war.
Although the University has not participated in a formal walkout, Sen. John Breaux, D-La., said a demonstration at the University would fit right into the nature of students’ right to exercise this freedom.
“A protest would get attention, which is what we need to do,” Breaux said. “People have the right to do this, whether it’s in front of the White House or in front of the Union.”
Breaux attended a symposium Saturday that focused on the right to free speech and the media’s role in protecting and practicing this right.
Breaux said he hopes the student body will start debates on the subject of war with Iraq because it keeps students active.
“Debates are only good if they represent both sides of the issue,” Breaux said. “The only way we’re going to reach a right answer is if there’s a difference in opinion.”
According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition, based in Washington, D.C., called colleges to stage walkouts as part of a “Books Not Bombs” demonstration, the first protest demonstrations since the Vietnam conflict 30 years ago.
The article said students around the country, such as at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, left classes around 11:30 a.m. and met at designated spots on campus to express their opposition to a war with Iraq.
On the other end of the spectrum, some students gathered to support the war. According to a March 6 article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, counter-demonstrators congregated next to the anti-war protestors.
“I’m in no way pro-war, but if they feel it’s necessary to protect America, then it needs to be done,” said Scott Mila, a finance junior at UWM.
At the University of Alabama, students rallied Thursday to support the military and President George W. Bush. According to a Friday article in The Crimson White, student speakers emphasized the need for Americans to unite behind the U.S. armed forces and the president.
Brooke Bacak, a first-year law student at UA, said the demonstration was not a pro-war movement, but an attempt to create support for troops overseas.
LSU held a debate Feb. 19 on the subject of war on Iraq before a packed crowd of students, faculty and staff in the 1,000-seat classroom. The forum, moderated by English professor Bainard Cowan, gave people the chance to hear opposing sides on the subject from eight panelists.
Chances of a student walkout concerning the war are slim, according to Jaime McKee, an LSU psychology junior, because she says most students at the University are laid back about political issues.
“I don’t think we could produce the same amount of people as other schools,” McKee said.
History senior Kyle Murray said he would not participate in a protest against war, and he does not think the University could get enough people together to be noticed.
“I’m not in favor of war just to have war, but I think something needs to be done,” Murray said.
Kinesiology sophomore Franklin Hart said students may not get involved because there are other issues going on in Baton Rouge.
“It’s sad to say, but I think we have too much to worry about already with the serial killer,” Hart said.
Brian Marks, a history senior and Coalition Against the War in Iraq member, said the activist group does other things around campus and the state to effectively protest the war.
“We have a table in free speech alley, weekly meetings and statewide marches with other groups around the state,” Marks said.