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The Daily OrangeVeterans, peace groups rally against Iraq War during march
By Kyle Adams
Posted: 9/30/07, 11:10 PM EST Section: News
"My generation didn't create the policies that caused these huge problems. We are just left with the aftermath," Henry said in his speech that opened the Walnut Park rally.
"As a pacifist, I believe war and violence are never the answer," he said. "Someday I dream our elected officials will have the insight to understand this."
The scene at Walnut Park was reminiscent of Woodstock footage, with long-haired, tie-dye clad students dancing in front of a stage while bands played protest songs like Phil Ochs' 1965 "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore."
But the event was highlighted by the veterans and active-duty soldiers who attended and spoke.
The march was initiated by Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), a national anti-war organization made up of Iraq veterans and active-duty soldiers with chapters in Central New York and Fort Drum.
The testimony of IVAW members during the demonstration was a marked contrast to recent reports by U.S. generals that the surge is succeeding in Iraq.
"The generals who take a stand and say we need to withdraw, they're forced to resign. So you're left with people who are willing to toe the party line," said IVAW member Adrienne Curry.
The veterans' support was essential to the success of Saturday's rally, SPC officials said.
"The key thing to realize is that these are active-duty soldiers. They're taking a risk," said John Burdick, a professor of anthropology at SU and peace council member. "Look, if these guys are ready to start putting themselves on the line, we've gotta start upping the ante."
That line, however, is unclear and dangerous in the eyes of many U.S. soldiers.
"The boundaries are murky," said Mike Blake, president of the Central New York chapter of IVAW. "It's not set in black and white how far you can go, what you can say."
The repercussions for speaking out vary based on each unit's chain of command, he said. "They could be anything from plain old ostracized to getting thrown in jail," Blake said.
"As a pacifist, I believe war and violence are never the answer," he said. "Someday I dream our elected officials will have the insight to understand this."
The scene at Walnut Park was reminiscent of Woodstock footage, with long-haired, tie-dye clad students dancing in front of a stage while bands played protest songs like Phil Ochs' 1965 "I Ain't Marchin' Anymore."
But the event was highlighted by the veterans and active-duty soldiers who attended and spoke.
The march was initiated by Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW), a national anti-war organization made up of Iraq veterans and active-duty soldiers with chapters in Central New York and Fort Drum.
The testimony of IVAW members during the demonstration was a marked contrast to recent reports by U.S. generals that the surge is succeeding in Iraq.
"The generals who take a stand and say we need to withdraw, they're forced to resign. So you're left with people who are willing to toe the party line," said IVAW member Adrienne Curry.
The veterans' support was essential to the success of Saturday's rally, SPC officials said.
"The key thing to realize is that these are active-duty soldiers. They're taking a risk," said John Burdick, a professor of anthropology at SU and peace council member. "Look, if these guys are ready to start putting themselves on the line, we've gotta start upping the ante."
That line, however, is unclear and dangerous in the eyes of many U.S. soldiers.
"The boundaries are murky," said Mike Blake, president of the Central New York chapter of IVAW. "It's not set in black and white how far you can go, what you can say."
The repercussions for speaking out vary based on each unit's chain of command, he said. "They could be anything from plain old ostracized to getting thrown in jail," Blake said.
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