by Lucas Shapiro
Students at Ithaca College joined together in the campus pub for a spirited peace rally on November 12th. The event, organized principally by Students for a Justice Peace, was scheduled to talk place at Free Speech Rock in the campus quad, but do to rain, the rally was brought indoors. Despite the last minute location change, a large crowd of up to 200 students gathered to hear 11 student and faculty speakers and performers.
Brett Miller of Students for a Just Peace and the Young Democratic Socialists Emceed the event. He opened the rally with a call to students to take an active leadership role in stopping the war on Iraq before it starts.
Next, Ithaca College student Ben Garvey, aka Benny G, busted out with some anti-war freestyle rap with the help of his human beat box sidekick.
Following Garvey, Yamuna Sangarasivam, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, encouraged rally-goers to examine what she regarded as the racist nature of the "war on terror". As an American, born and raised in Sri Lanka, Sangarasivam contended that certain ethnic and religious groups are unfairly branded as "terrorists".
Arianna Marucci of Students for a Just Peace addressed the need to combat apathy among students, arguing that war with Iraq is an issue that affects young people in particular.
Ithaca College Protestant Chaplain Allison Stokes brought a faith based argument against war to the spirited rally. Stokes highlighted the efforts of a wide variety of religious communities in promoting peace, understanding and justice. She spoke of a world we need to bring about where "the power of love is far greater than the love of power".
Bora Yoon, acclaimed IC musician, sung a beautiful song about the first Gulf War with her acoustic guitar.
Michael Matly, President of the Cornell Arab Student Association said he was proud to be addressing a room full of concerned students. He stated that his parents were upset when they learned that he'd be speaking out against the war. He said they were worried that as an Arab he shouldn't be coming out publicly with his beliefs.
Colleen Kattau, Professor of Modern Languages offered her thoughts on the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001 (USA) and Sept. 11, (Chile). She sang a political satire about the "royally oily-garchy" running the country and gunning for Iraq.
There were two additional speakers whose names I didn't catch (sorry!).
One woman from the Cornell Anti-war Coalition mentioned the recently passed Security Council Resolution regarding weapons inspections in Iraq. She argued that only through bribery and threats of aid withdrawal was the US able to achieve a unanimous vote on the resolution.
An older gentleman, a Veteran of World War II also came to speak about for peace. I told of his memories of battle, of loosing friends and witnessing the ugliness of war. He encouraged students in the audience to make the important decisions of their lifetimes, to rise to the challenge of a world wracked by violence and inhumanity.
Lucas Shapiro, myself, spoke last. Not realizing the passing time, I gave a long-winded speech that lasted over 20 minutes. I tried to make the case against war with Iraq by debunking many of the claims offered by the Bush Administration. I also argued for building a "smart anti-war movement" that could answer the tough questions concerning what to do about Saddam Hussein, and to move beyond simplistic "war is bad, killing is bad" rhetoric.
There will be a number of related upcoming events at Ithaca College:
Thursday, Nov. 17, there will be a Iraq Teach-in from 12-1pm in Textor 101.
Sunday, Nov. 19, Helen Caldicott, founder of Physicians for Social Responsibility, will speak about depleted uranium, its health effects and war in Iraq. 7:30pm, Emerson Suites.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, National Day of Action against the war.
Friday, Dec. 13, Amy Goodman, host of radio show Democracy Now! will speak in Ford Hall at 7pm.
Students for a Just Peace hold weekly meetings every Wednesday at 7pm in Friends 203 (Ithaca College). Email icjustpeace@yahoo.com for more information.
