Proponents of international peace assembled in front of the Rotunda Saturday afternoon to march against the prospect of war.
The marchers had planned to walk in silence from the Rotunda to the downtown area and hold a candlelight vigil, but were unable to hold the vigil due to inclement weather. However, a demonstration in which nine students fell to the ground as if killed in battle with bagpipe accompaniment proceeded as planned.
Percussionists who used trashcans as improvised drums led the marchers.
The protest was organized by the Anti-War Coalition at the University, led by third-year Engineering student Matt Kindig and third-year College student Jessica Forman. The Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice, members of the University Democrats and members of Students for a Free Tibet also participated in the march.
"By having a silent march, we were hoping to connote a funeral procession," Kindig said.
Police followed the marchers and monitored the area surrounding the protestors.
Many people were holding signs with slogans like "Trillions for war, pennies for poor" and "Mr. Bush: use our tax money for our schools not war."
The silence of the march came to an abrupt halt when various groups of marchers merged the first time at the downtown mall.
"After everyone saw each other, there was no way to be silent," Forman said.
The leaders of the march said they oppose the war in general but support American soldiers.
"We support our troops," Forman said. "We don't feel it is a time for them to risk their lives -- we just want to keep them alive so they can come home to their families and friends."
University Police served as an escort to the downtown area. At first, the site of the police and a paddy wagon startled some marchers.
"The police escort is increasingly unsettling," Kindig said.
In the end, Forman said she was appreciative of the service the police provided.
"The police were great," Forman said. "We are really thankful for all their help.They did a great job keeping us together, especially in these conditions."
Albemarle County resident Jim Bryan said he remembers the Vietnam era protests, which were sparse in Charlottesville.
"I don't remember any demonstrations then," Bryan said. "Charlottesville was not politically active then."
If war is declared, the Anti-War Coalition plans to organize a student/faculty walkout at 2 p.m. the day after war is announced.
"When war is declared, you should not be going about the daily tedium of you life," Kindig said.
The coalition also is planning for an all-student debate and another march in better weather conditions on the Ides of March.
But poor weather didn't prevent many students from turning out last weekend.
"I think [the march was] successful, considering the weather," third-year College student Katia Maguire said. "It's a shame that there weren't more people out because of the snow, but anything that brings people together helps"
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