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More than 1,000 protesters of the war in Iraq marked the one year anniversary of the beginning of the conflict by assembling peacefully in Augusta on Saturday. The rally in the capital was one of 267 held in cities across America Saturday, as well as more than 100 held in cities all over the world as part of the “March for Truth.”
About 60 representatives from the University of Maine, including members of the Maine Peace Action Committee and the Progressive Student Alliance, attended the rally in Augusta after a gathering at UMaine on Friday.
Participants at the gathering at UMaine spoke out against pre-emptive war and the continuing presence of American soldiers in Iraq, carrying signs with slogans such as “Heathcare – not Warfare” and “Support our Troops: Bring them Home.”
Doug Allen, professor of philosophy at UMaine, was one of the many members of MPAC who voiced their distrust in President George Bush and his policies on war.
“We arrogantly say we are the custodians of peace … This has to stop,” Allen said. “We must say no to the glorification of war.”
Allen also said he is against the University of Maine being run as a corporation. Allen and MPAC were steadfastly against the University of Maine-sponsored conference, “Doing business in Iraq,” which was canceled in November and has yet to be rescheduled. Allen also spoke out against the religious right, who he said claim God is on their side regarding the war.
Members from the Bangor chapter of Veterans for Peace also made a showing at the campus rally on Friday to show support for the anti-war campaign. Ron Warner of VFP said he is angry at Bush for not being truthful to the public about his reasons for going to war.
“Bush’s policies are based on lies,” Warner said. “He’s lied to us about weapons of mass destruction; he’s lied to us about Al Qaeda … This is unacceptable. We want a policy based on truth.”
Warner said veterans are also angry with Bush for exploiting them to further his own cause.
“We’re not cannon fodder to be used to promote corporate profit,” Warner said.
Members of MPAC said they hoped people passing by or watching the speeches on Friday would walk away with new outlooks that are more diplomatic than militaristic.
“We’re trying to raise awareness about how to work toward a positive solution,” said Dawn Norris, treasurer of MPAC.
Issues needing to be addressed include “the way we as a country go about resolving disputes,” according to Norris.
MPAC opened the microphone to anyone who wished to step forward and express their opinions, reinforcing Norris’ comments about being involved in the political process to effect change and protect free speech, something she said she feels is being threatened by a “dangerous trend.”
“Getting involved really does change things,” she said. “It may take time but it really does.”
