Hundreds of University students and Charlottesville residents congregated on the north end of the Lawn yesterday, protesting the possible war on Iraq.
The event, entitled "Dissent is Patriotic," was sponsored by student groups and local and national organizations, including Amnesty International and the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice. The rally brought together community members to listen to speakers and voice their own opinions on current political events.
"The goal is to mobilize a cohesive movement against the war," said fourth-year College student Nicholas Graber-Grace, one of the organizers of the event. "I believe people recognize it would be unjust."
Graber-Grace said he and other organizers would like to see the event help "bridge the gap between radical and mainstream political action."
A diverse crowd attended the event, bearing the cold for an hour and a half.
"It was really great to see so many students come out," third-year College student Josh Dooley said. "I have received a lot of criticism for my political views, so it's nice to see I am not alone."
Area residents joined Dooley and other students enthusiastic about the event.
"I just moved here and I heard about this and wanted to see what was happening in the student peace movement," Charlottesville resident Suzann Marquess said. "I am impressed to see all the young people here, I think they need to take over the movement."
Speakers, including several University faculty members, said vocal dissent is important in America.
"We have the right, and indeed the responsibility, to examine the actions of our leaders," History Prof. Julian Bond said, speaking as the chairman of the NAACP. "We should oppose them when they are wrong, as much as we should support them when they are right -- and today they are wrong."
With an American flag as a backdrop, speakers on the steps of the Rotunda, emphasized that protesting war was not anti-patriotic.
"We are not here today because we loath our country, we are here because we love it," Bond said.
Speakers also presented arguments against military action, decrying U.S. policy and citing potentially detrimental effects on the entire region of the Middle East and on the United States, should the country go to war.
History Prof. Elizabeth Thomson said several governments in the Middle East, including Turkey and Israel, are moving to persecute ethnic groups, and would likely increase such efforts in the event of a war. She further argued that the majority of Americans are not presented with all pertinent facts on the issue.
"Few Americans understand how the U.S. systematically supports dictatorial regimes in the Middle East," Thompson said. "Few Americans understand how these policies are tied to oil."
Speakers also criticized the Bush administration's actions to date, accusing Republicans of being too eager to launch an invasion.
"The U.N. Security Council is a solution for war, not an excuse for it," Politics Prof. Michael Smith said. "It should not be a formality to go through before the bombs begin to fall.
Read More
Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to U.Va. students, discusses Ryan resignation and more
By Grace Traxler | 1 hours agoIn an informal Q&A session, audience members asked about threats to federal research, the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at the University, potential shifts in the Democratic Party and more.
Summer Language Institute sees record high enrollment in its 45th year
By Zach Minkin | 2 hours agoFor the first time in its 45-year history, SLI is featuring both four week and eight week options, where it previously only offered an eight week program.
U.Va. Faculty Senate overwhelmingly adopts a no confidence vote in Board of Visitors
By Xander Tilock | 2 days ago"The Faculty Senate expresses no confidence in the Board of Visitors for not protecting the University and its president from outside interference," the resolution read.
