College Democrats Hold Rally for Peace, Protest War in Iraq [incl. prof. of MES Charles Kennedy]

College Democrats hosted two consecutive nights of events April 2 and 3 in an effort to protest the current war in Iraq and promote activism and awareness on campus.

The week started off with a forum April 2 on the current political state of affairs in the United States entitled “What’s Next in the Middle East?”

The forum featured professors from the political science and Middle Eastern studies departments, who spoke to an audience of around 50 members about their opinions of the war, foreign relations and leadership in the United States.

Professor of political science Thomas Brister said that U.S. involvement with the war in Iraq was due to a combination of a fear of weapons of mass destruction and an attempt to send a message to these regimes.

“This was driven by an idealistic view that if democracy was brought to the Middle East, it would help disrupt the rule and bring a form of constitutional democracy,” professor of history Charles Wilkins said.

The panel was questioned periodically throughout the hour about whether or not there were forces that necessitated the conflict in Iraq and U.S. involvement.

“This civil war did not have to happen; it was not inevitable – the main cause of the conflict in Iraq is the U.S. invasion,” professor of political science Charles Kennedy said.

Professor of political science David Coates made the distinction between the war in Afghanistan and the war in Iraq.

He said specifically that the former was one of necessity, the latter, purely a choice.

“We were led in this crucial moment by people who were not very bright … our choice is going to be whether we were led in this space by knaves or fools,” Coates said.

Coates said that if the US stays the course until the Iraqi government is rebuilt, it would take years to complete.

“Right now we have controlled certain zones, but there are vast areas of Iraq already in the hands of militias who are running Iraq their way,” he said.

“We will never keep America secure by putting our best troops overseas.”

College Democrats also hosted the “Raise Your Voice for Peace” rally at 5:01 p.m. April 3 on the Magnolia Quad.

The time of the event is significant because the major warfare began on May 1, 2003.

Student Government president senior Shannon Philmon said that there was a decent turnout with many students, community members and professors stopping by throughout the rally.

The protest featured a memorial for the 3,246 U.S. soldiers who have died in Iraq, represented by the 3,246 miniature flags displayed on the Mag Quad.

Students could sign a petition and a banner with markers that essentially put forth notice that students had gathered to support the end of the war in Iraq.

These will be sent to the White House and the petition to the North Carolina state legislature.

“I think this was a really great way for everyone who attended to amplify their voice of opposition toward the war in Iraq, and it gives them a forum to express their ideas publicly,” Philmon said.

A few students who felt compelled to speak addressed the crowds in the open microphone.

Two musical performances also enhanced the rally.

“We had a very impressive turnout considering that we were competing with rides and inflatable animals,” said president of College Democrats freshman Zahir Rahman, referring to the conflicting time with the Student Government carnival.

Rahman said the goal was to promote activism and awareness on campus and in the community at large, reinvigorating the protest to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq.

“It is time for Wake students to rise up and talk about what is on our minds,” Rahman said.

According to Rahman, members of all political persuasions and parties are beginning to realize how the escalation of the war will cause unnecessary deaths and perpetuate further violence.

“Overall, the College Democrats are very satisfied with how both last night and today went, and we look forward to remaining active and visible on campus,” Rahman said on the day of the protest.

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