As bombs fall on Iraq, a student walkout followed by an anti-war march originating on the Lawn will occur today at 2 p.m.
The march will be the beginning of an increased effort by anti-war protesters to impact daily life at the University.
"This isn't going to be just another protest," said third-year College student Jessica Forman, a co-founder of the University Anti-war Coalition. "It is a time for us to support one another as well as one to get a lot of energy out."
The Anti-war Coalition and Citizens Against Global Exploitation are jointly organizing the walkout and march.
Forman stressed that the march will be respectful and peaceful.
"CAGE is a very loud group and they are going to make a lot of noise," Forman said . "But all of the groups participating are non-violent in nature."
The Anti-war Coalition, founded by Forman and third-year Engineering student Matt Kindig, began as an ad hoc group emerging from the "Dissent is Patriotic" rally last fall.
Following the assembly on the Lawn, the protesters plan to march downtown to gather in front of the federal building on Main Street. There they will join members of the Charlottesville Center for Peace and Justice as well as the group Food Not Bombs.
"It's the first time all of these groups will march together," Forman said. "They represent the core of all future action in the area."
Opinions concerning the reinvigorated peace movement are varied.
"Some people are so concerned with being anti-Bush that they forget about the men and women in uniform," College Republicans President Ben Beliles said. "We welcome dissent because that is what makes America great."
The University Democrats plan to take part in the march and encourage a large gathering.
"The University Democrats are appalled by the administration's unilateral decision to go to war," University Democrats President Ian Amelkin said. "We wholeheartedly endorse the Anti-war Coalition and will participate in the march."
Partakers in the march tomorrow will range from those with extensive background in activism to some who have never seen a protest.
"I've never come out to something like this before," said second-year College student Steven Blau. "My parents live in New York -- I'm worried about retribution and I feel like I should do something."
Progression toward increased activism in the student body will take on many guises. Beginning this Friday, the Main Street Market will be hosting an art show entitled "The Art of War." A student debate on the prosecution of the war will then take place on Tuesday, March 26.
Critics of the Anti-war Coalition's decision to stage a walkout say they feel that there may not be widespread support from faculty.
"It definitely undermines the time and effort of professors trying to hold a class and disrupts the learning process," said College Republicans Vice President Nathaniel Royster.
Anti-war Coalition member Sam Brody said he feels differently.
"The mood will be solemn and more moral than political -- We want people to have an increased awareness of the actions of our government," Brody said. "We advised the faculty ahead of time and hope that they see this as a continuation of the learning process."
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