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A peaceful anti-war rally, sponsored by the Peace and Justice Center of Eastern Maine, was held last Saturday at the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building in downtown Bangor.
Over 100 protesters stood in front of the Federal Building with signs that read: “Give Peace a Chance”; “One Earth One People”; “Attacking Iraq will not end Terrorism”; and “Just Say No to War.”
During the rally people drove by in cars, honking their horns and yelling “God Bless America” or giving the thumbs-up sig to protestors. Among the American flags and posters, a drum was brought to the rally with the words “One people, one Earth, one heartbeat,” written on it.
“That’s my message about unity,” Peter Baldwin said about his drum. “We are all one people.”
Doug Allen, chairman of the Philosophy Department at the University of Maine and education coordinator of the Peace and Justice Center, led the rally.
“This is impressive, this is really incredible. If I were George Bush and I looked out at this energetic and creative group, I would just change my policies,” he said in his opening statement.
Participants gathered in response to a congressional joint resolution that would, according to a press release, authorize the use of U.S. armed forces against Iraq. The resolution will be voted on by Congress within the next few weeks.
The resolution states: “The President is authorized to use all means that he determines to be appropriate, including force, to enforce the United Nations Security Council Resolutions referenced, defend the national security interests of the United States against the threat posed by Iraq, and restore international peace and security to the region,” according to MoveOn.org.
In his opening speech, rally participant Dennis Chinay said, “Our country and our election debates have been hijacked. We find ourselves in the backseat of a car with George Bush at the wheel, careening towards a cliff edge of calamitous war … What is clear, is he’s driving to endanger the country and the world.”
Allen claimed the Bush administration tells American citizens “you’re either with us or you’re with the terrorists.”
The center’s education coordinator suggests, “We are the people concerned with freedom. We are the people concerned with human rights. Bush is the enemy. Bush is the arm of terror. We do not support terrorists as Washington does. In fact, we need to change our dominant power.”
Most participants attended the rally to prove that there is another side to think about when considering this war.
“There are people out there that don’t agree with what the administration is doing and not everyone believes we should invade Iraq,” said Meaghan Dubois, a senior sustainable agriculture major. “A lot of people are being silenced.”
Some participants disagree with wars in general and attended the rally to make that known.
“Any war has absolutely nothing to do with saving human lives. Most bloodshed is in the name of money and power,” said Melissa Calhoun of Georgia.
Others agreed with Calhoun, stating that if the U.S. goes to war with Iraq it may only be a coverup of other issues in the U.S., such as the economy.
Two Vietnam veterans attended the rally carrying signs that read “Another Veteran Says ‘No’ to War.”
“Vietnam wasn’t worth the loss of one American life,” Marine combat veteran, Ray Therber said.
“I’ve seen [war] firsthand and I wouldn’t wish it on anyone,” Ron Warner, also a Marine combat veteran, of Bangor said. “We’re for peace and we’re for brotherhood of man. We are not for war in Iraq.”
Many participants argued that the American people are being misinformed about what’s really occurring with Iraq.
“It’s a shame, because people don’t really know what’s going on,” Black said. “I think if people really knew what’s not being told then nobody would be supporting this war.”
Allen encouraged citizens to get involved at whatever level possible either by calling or writing to state representatives and members of Congress.
“Even if your time is minimal, your participation is necessary,” Allen said.
Students on campus who wish to get involved with anti-war efforts may contact the Maine Peace Action Committee on campus by e-mailing Doug Allen via FirstClass. MPAC meets every Tuesday at 4 p.m. in The Maples.
Bangor Daily News