"No More War," read a sign held by a chanting student standing amidst a small crowd on Rand Terrace. "Out of Iraq Now," said another, as students chattered and prepared for the peace rally about to take place.
Across campus at Benton Chapel, at a similar event, the signs read differently. "Support Our Troops," and "Victory Not Defeat," stood out from cardboard banners held by equally enthusiastic students.
College Democrats across the country designated Thursday as a national day of student protest against the war in Iraq. Vanderbilt College Republicans decided to also hold a rally because they wanted to ensure that the Democratic voice was not the only one heard.
"The majority of us on campus support victory, not retreat, and that means supporting the war in Iraq," said College Republicans President Evan Schlank. Eagerly standing with the gathering by the Benton Chapel, he continued, "It's fine to say, ‘Let's get out,' but what does that do? Leaves Iraq in chaos and promotes terrorism."
College Deomcrats President Kelson Bohnet said the rally was an attempt to make their opinions heard and revive student activism.
"I've often been dillusioned by how few Vanderbilt students really take a stand and speak out," he said. "I think that this (rally) is a definite opportunity for students to do just that."
The College Democrats had advertised the event all week with posters and flyers present around campus. The College Republicans efforts were more impromptu and generated chiefly to combat those of the College Democrats.
"I think it's good to make the student body aware that people (at Vanderbilt) do have thoughts like this," said sophomore Downs Reese. "We're generally a conservative campus, but it's definitely not unanimous."
United under peace
United under peace, you say?
How exactly does getting out of Iraq create peace? For Iraqis? If this is a "human" issue as you term it, then are Iraqis not humans?
Get the facts straight!
Dear Hustler staff and Nikki Bogopolskaya:
As one of the main organizers for the anti-war rally this past Thursday, I am highly offended by the article on the front page of the Feb. 16th Hustler issue. I hope that by now you have received a letter not only from the president of College Democrats but also from Elias Feghali, another one of the main orgainzers. I felt the need to send something in myself, because I took personal offense to what was written in the article. First off, I am not a Democrat and as one of the main organizers of this rally, I feel my political opinion should be heard. Elias and me, neither of which have any political affiliation, originally came up with the idea to stage a protest this past Saturday. Those that helped plan the protest met Sunday night. I DO NOT KNOW THE POLITICAL AFFILIATION OF THE OTHER ORGANIZERS nor was it relevant to what we were planning. This was NOT a Democrat versus Republican issue and I was not aware that because I am against the war, I am apparently categorized as a Democrat. This is, to put it simply, bad journalism.
You may think that this is a slight error. But, coming from me personally, I feel that my voice as a student has been completely undermined in this situation. IF Ms.Bogopolskaya had actually listened to what Elias, the unmentioned “speaker” at the end of the rally, had said, THIS IS A HUMAN ISSUE. Just because one person in the group, the president of College Democrats, expresses an explicit political view, does not mean the entire group shares this view. We united under peace, NOT politics. I do not wish to direct my anger towards one person. But I feel that there was a complete lack of thoughtful, careful journalism on the part of Ms.Bogopolskaya. I am very disappointed that the Hustler, “the Voice of Vanderbilt”, allowed for such a massive oversight to occur. I hope you will print an apology to all the students involved in the rally, NOT NECESSARILY DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS, in your next issue of the Hustler. I highly suggest that if you want to gain a reputation as a credible newspaper, you research your information more carefully and proofread your articles a little closer.
Thank You,
Isabelle McKay, Sophomore A&S
P.S- I ask that you please speak to Ms.Bogopolskaya. It is not that I want her to lose her position at the Hustler, but she MUST learn to write her articles more carefully in the future if she is to report the actual news and not offend her audience.