Speaking out

Whether they’re lying in front of the mailboxes at the Barone Campus Center or handing out pamphlets on Post Road, Fairfield University Students for Peace is used to receiving mixed reactions.

“I think it’s a powerful demonstration that brings up a lot of emotions and a reality that many people don’t want to face,” said Melissa Reardon, one of the advisors for Students for Peace, in regards to the group’s Die-In, where the students laid “dead” with signs reading “Innocent American Soldier” and “Innocent Iraqi Child.”

While there are those that walk by them muttering hostilities under their breath, others stop to ask questions.

“Though most of the student feedback has been positive, it’s important to respect other people who are questioning and to respect those with a different point of view,” said Pete Albert, ’03, Students for Peace member.

As talks regarding weapons of mass destruction and invasion increase, why have the voices of those searching for a nonviolent resolution have grown louder and gained worldwide momentum?

A search for accurate information, humanitarianism, and mass organization has driven the anti-war movement. What the Gulf War era lacked in protests, the 2003 war on terrorism makes up for with civil disobedience that comes through as a throwback to the post-Vietnam era.

Demonstrations exist on both a large and small scale, ranging from the national marches on Washington, D.C., and the Say No to War Day (February 15th ), to the local Post Road marches every Tuesday, sponsored by Students for Peace and a Fairfield-Westport anti-war resident group.

When the topic arose of how to raise awareness on campus, Students for Peace was born.

“It was Emmett Kearney’s initial action that got everyone together,” said Albert. As the November 6, 2002 lecture on Iraq by Society of Friends member John Humphreys proved a catalyst for inviting future panelists to Fairfield University, the January 18, 2003 rally in Washington D.C. sparked interest on a national level.

“In this time that our president is hell-bent on going to war, we must act as a democracy and get the facts out there,” said Kearney, ’03. “Most people say they don’t know enough to have an opinion.”

So the group has focused on the spread of accurate information through petitions, protests and open discussions.

“I knew something wasn’t right so I had to seek information on the subject to get the facts and make a decision,” said Steve Escobar, member of Students for Peace, in regards to attending the rally in Washington, D.C. “Besides freezing out there, there was an immense feeling of emotion and passion coming from the crowd.”

Although Students for Peace was still an unofficial group at the time, approximately 60 students and faculty attended.

Fairfield University Students for Peace has received support from a number of faculty and administrators, including Joy Gordon and Larry Mazon. Gordon, a philosophy professor and sanctions expert has served as an advisor for the group.

“I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the group, because not since Justice for Janitors have Fairfield students taken a lead in activism,” said Gordon.

The actions of the group challenge the sentiment that students are apathetic to the real world.

“Our generation is cynical. We’ve grown up with too much marketing so most people are skeptical when it comes to media,” says Kearney.

Larry Mazon, director of Multicultural Relations has supported Students for Peace by providing a forum for students to come together through groups such as T.E.A.M. and transportation to Washington.

“We speak about apathy towards real life, but here are students who are pushing things,” said Mazon.

However, not everyone interprets what they see and read in the same way. There are those who feel war is just and necessary.

“I think we should go to war, if we allow them to attack first we lose face, thereby leaving ourselves open for other attacks,” said a student who wished not to be named.

Some may not be as adamant to attack, but the issue does hit close to home because they are enlisted to go next.

“As in any society, the role of a citizen in the army includes a responsibility to its people,” said Miguel Diaz, ’03. “People have the right to voice their opinions, but when the shit hits the fan I’ll be the one out there, not them.”

The outset of Bush’s statement on 9/11 served as a wake-up call for the people to take an interest in foreign policy. The actions of our current administration have led to an overall sense of patriotism among the citizens of this nation, but its counteraction has been the birth of Students for Peace and other such anti-war groups.

The actions of the government have led to the weekly meetings in the Barone Campus Center on Mondays at 5:30, growing weekly protests on Post Road every Tuesday between 4:00-6:00, frequent masses held on campus and upcoming events such as a teach-in and civil disobedience training.

Campus Ministry and the Ignation Residential College are planning the potential teach-in for the first week in April. It will be structured around offering more information about the current crisis and its history and offering ways to become active.

The panel of speakers is yet to be decided.

For more information on the issue of war against Iraq, show up on the lower level of the BCC Mondays at 5:30 or at the Post Road Tuesdays between 4:00-6:00 or contact Emmett Kearney at 03_ekearney@campus.fairfield.edu to add your name to the Students for Peace mailing list.