An estimated 500 protesters marched across town Saturday afternoon to promote a peaceful resolution to the Iraqi conflict. March for Peace — which started at the post office on South Main Street and ended at the Union — was the first event held by the Concerned Citizens of Bowling Green. The new group provides a forum for community members and students to voice their opinions, according to graduate student Davin Heckman, one of the group’s founders.
“If something’s not right, you have to say something,” Heckman said. “This is our chance.”
Seven speakers took that opportunity when protesters rallied in front of the Union afterward. Marc Simon, professor of political science at the University, said going to war with Iraq would intensify international problems.
“This will only help al-Qaida and other groups recruit more terrorists,” he said. “And it establishes a terrible precedent that powerful nations are above the law.”
Simon was followed by the Rev. Diane Christopherson, who questioned the idea that the entire country is in favor of war.
“I get nervous when I see these signs that say ‘United We Stand,'” said Christopherson, a pastor for the United Christian Fellowship. “I’m not sure what they mean. We need to be clear what we’re united for.”
Then a voice from the crowd shouted: “We’re united for peace!” But not everyone is so united on the issue.
A few people protested the protest, carrying signs reading “No Slack For Iraq.”
The march was for peace, but Daniel Boudreau, who helped organize the event, said he was glad to see even those with pro-war viewpoints at the event.
“Anybody’s welcome to express their opinions,” said Boudreau, who, like Heckman, is working toward a doctorate in American culture studies.
Most people don’t realize just how strong anti-war sentiment is, according to Boudreau.
“If you were to believe the mainstream media, no one’s thinking this way,” he said.
Protesters in Bowling Green are not alone. Another group marched in Ann Arbor Saturday, and similar protests were held nationwide.
The Ann Arbor march inspired this one, according to Heckman.
“People said we should go there for the protest, and we figured, why don’t we have one?” he said.
With a turnout near 500, the march shows that anti-war sentiment in the area is formidable, according to Heckman. “I think we really tapped into something.”
Students gave their opinions, too.
Undergraduate Hala Al-Jiboury, who was born in Iraq, listed facts on how economic sanctions are already hurting Iraqi civilians.
Sanctions — which stop Iraq from importing many goods, including food and medicine — are said to be responsible for 1.5 million deaths since they were imposed after the Gulf War. A third of the country’s children suffer from malnutrition due to a lack of imported food, according to Al-Jiboury.
Sanctions on Iraq are hurting many and doing little good, she added. “They have only affected the people of Iraq.”
To wrap up the rally, Ken Bartlett presented a letter from his daughter, Megan — a rescue worker at the site of the World Trade Center attacks and founder of the group Ground Zero for Peace.
In the letter, she stated her fears of what violence a war would bring. She wrote: “A nuclear attack would look a lot like ground zero, but it would spread for miles.
The protest ended at 2 p.m., but debate on the war continues. A forum titled “War with Iraq: Just or Unjust?” will be held Nov. 13 at 7:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Union.
