Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

'Iowans for Peace' rally on war anniversary
By Emileigh Barnes
The Daily Iowan (U. Iowa)
03/21/2006

(U-WIRE) IOWA CITY, Iowa — Coinciding with the third anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, approximately 200 protesters assembled on the pedestrian mall Monday for a peace gathering and silent walk calling for an end to the war.

In spite of temperatures in the low 30s and biting winds, community members ranging from children to grandparents congregated on the intersection of Dubuque and Washington Streets and asked for "not one more death, not one more dollar, not one more soldier or civilian killed."

"I'm impressed by how many came out in the windy coldness," said Robert Ehl, a founding member of the antiwar committee, which sponsored the event alongside Iowans for Peace. "It says a lot about people's interest in the matter." At the peace gathering, speakers joined in sing-alongs and chants and listened to a reading of the names of fallen Iowa soldiers. The crowd did not forget the Iraqi civilian deaths, memorialized by a reading of their ages, occupations, and causes of death.

Their message was clear: End funding, and bring troops home.

Julie Bryant, who spoke at the event, began her address by hoisting a picture of a soldier cradling a bloodied dead child. She questioned whether any real progress had been made in Iraq and said President Bush's beginning the war was wrong.

"The last thing our president is supposed to do is commit troops," the U.S. Navy veteran said.

Speeches were greeted with applause and cheering, occasionally eliciting yelps of "that's damn right."

Rose Persaud, another speaker, said news coverage is important to the antiwar cause.

"We just want some visibility," she said.

The silent march was led by a "peace flag," an American flag with a peace sign instead of stars. Protesters followed with signs reading such phrases as "Bush is a terrorist," "Peace also takes courage," and "Another grandparent for peace."

"From the beginning, I've been against the war," said protester and former City Councilor Karen Kubby. "What are we accomplishing? I'm glad there are people out here saying it's time we have an exit plan."

During their walk, leaders dropped off several petitions asking for an end to governmental funding of the war.

"It's been a disaster from start to finish," said Nicholas Johnson, a lecturer in the UI College of Law. "Pre-emptive wars are pretty despicable."

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