By now, all Hoyas must have passed through Red Square at some point and seen the Peace Camp. Though the camp has received mixed responses, ranging from full-out support to ardent opposition, comments made in Friday’s edition of The Hoya and from passers-by have compelled us to clarify the purpose of the Peace Camp.
We know that a Peace Camp demonstration in Red Square at Georgetown University is not going to end the war in Iraq. Rather, the purpose of the camp is to remind people at Georgetown about what is going on in the world and to provide a forum for discussion. While we can continue our normal lives in Washington, D.C., people are dying on the other side of the world in the name of American freedom. Those dying are coalition troops, Iraqi soldiers and civilians, journalists and others caught in the middle. For the sake of all parties involved, we oppose war and seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Iraq. The Peace Camp also reminds people that there are numerous people here at Georgetown, across the United States and around the world who oppose war on Iraq. Finally, the Peace Camp represents the American ideals of free speech and dissent.
Participants in the Peace Camp, oppose the war for various reasons, depending upon the individual. Some of us are merely pacifists who believe war is immoral in all situations. Others oppose the war because the cost of Iraqi lives to overthrow one dictator is not worth it. Some dispute the United States’ unilateral approach in opposition to the United Nations. Others disagree with the economic and political undertones of the war involving oil. Some see the war as an example of a flawed imperialist policy in the Middle East. Therefore, it is important for people to recognize the diversity within the anti-war movement – we do not have one rationale for peace.
As proponents of free speech and expression, we also respect the rights of others to demonstrate peacefully in support of the war. Last Tuesday evening a number of student members of the College Republicans flyered and chalked Red Square to back the war in Iraq while we held a silent vigil. Their demonstration was both peaceful and tactful, and we appreciate their non-confrontational approach and encourage dialogue between our two sides. However, we do not appreciate chalk arrows directed at the Peace Camp stating “Stop Supporting Saddam.” We do not defend Saddam Hussein; we regard him as an evil dictator put in power by the United States in the 1980s, but we believe that war is not the answer to Saddam’s oppressive regime. As a misinterpretation of our position, it is incidents such as the chalk that require us to clarify our position.
Moreover, Adam Jones’ recent Viewpoint (“In Politics and War with Iraq, Moore Means Less,” The Hoya, Mar. 28, 2003) is mistaken in its assessment of the participants of the Peace Camp. We rotate taking turns at the Camp depending upon our schedules. We do not skip class and we do shower regularly during our free time. Furthermore, we are not all the same people who demonstrate for every cause that arises. Granted a number of us do support affirmative action, the GLBTQ Resource Center or Fair Trade Coffee. But, as already stated, we are a diverse group of people and thus not everyone advocates those causes. This anti-war movement mobilizes individuals from different backgrounds, including first-time activists and those who do not usually become involved in social movements. Additionally, we support our troops overseas; we do not want to see them die just as we do not want to see innocent Iraqis die. We feel the best way to protect them is through peaceful resolution to the conflict. Peace is patriotic.
Unfortunately, not all opposition to the Peace Camp has been as peaceful as Jones’ piece or the Republicans’ demonstration. During the first week, a group of passersby threw eggs at the Peace Camp. Late at night one woman screamed at us that we should all be expelled for living “in trash in our nation’s capitol” (she obviously has not been to Southeast recently). Friday night a drunken GUSA candidate screamed that all Peace Camp people should die and that “You will all be working for me one day.” Though these are isolated incidents, they are only three examples of the regrettably hostile attitudes people hold against the Peace Camp. We cannot emphasize enough how we encourage civilized dialogue between pro- and anti-war students, but belligerent behavior and treatment is unacceptable.
Nevertheless, we want to conclude with a sincere thanks to the supporters of the Peace Camp in Red Square. Since its construction almost two weeks ago, a number of passers-by have stopped to express their gratitude for the anti-war presence on campus. Furthermore, a number of professors, Jesuits, DPS Officers, neighborhood residents, students, visitors and other staff have encouraged our cause through donations of food, periodicals, coffee, Habitat donuts, hot chocolate and other forms of charity. We welcome all forms of support and wish to persuade everyone to stop by the Peace Camp and spend some time there. Everyone is welcome to participate for peace as we encourage questions and dialogue. The war will not be ending anytime soon, so we will continue to express our opposition, raise consciousness and pray for peace.
Sasha Kinney and Emil Totonchi are freshman in the School of Foreign Service. They are spokespeople for GU Peace Action. Noah Riseman is a junior in the college and a columnist for The Hoya.
