Last night at 7 p.m. in Rouss Hall, the Anti-War Coalition sponsored "War with Iraq: a teach-in," to educate University students about conflict in Iraq and potential consequences.
Nine speakers detailed several topics stemming from the war, such as media coverage, motives of the United States and the United Kingdom, the war at home, exploitation, post-war consequences, long-term political implications, civil disobedience and treatment of Muslims and immigrants.
English Prof. Eric Lott said he believed the coverage of the war is not accurate.
"I think we are getting an incredibly partial, if not censored, account of what's going on in Iraq," he said. "The information that gets put through by the journalist is not the shock that they go through."
Anti-war poetry also was read during the teach-in, some of which was satiric.
Protestors said they believed tax dollars should be spent on problems other than a war which they said is unfounded.
"War is something that exists right here," said Andrew Holden, a Charlottesville resident and member of Citizens Against Global Exploitation.
The $80 billion that America is spending on the war could be divided up for food for all 6 billion people in the world, Holden said.
Second-year College student Sam Brody discussed what could happen after Saddam's regime is toppled. According to Brody, America and the United Nations will try to control the economy and government of Iraq. He said Iraq should control its own government.
Some attendees said they were displeased with the over-simplicity of modern patriotism.
University Democrats President Ian Amelkin cited 18th century writer and critic Samuel Johnson, saying "Patriotism is the last resort of the scoundrel."
The event was organized by second-year College student Macarena Rotger and third-year College student Jessica Forman, both members of the Anti-War Coalition.
The organizers said they wanted to educate students about both sides of the war, especially the side not often displayed by the media.
"The main concern was [that] at least one person walk away learning something different." Forman said. "We saw a lot of new, fresh faces."
The organizers said they planned to focus on both sides of the war, but because of time constraints and illness, only the anti-war side was well represented.
"It wasn't supposed to be as one sided as it turned out," Forman said. "We were showing the side that they don't hear on TV."
Those involved said they were pleased with the turnout of close to 60 people.
"People were being innovative," Amelkin said. "I thought it was a good turnout tonight."
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