Student emotions run high at rally for war
Not everyone is against the war.
That statement proved to be true Wednesday as nearly 100 Utah State University students gathered in the Taggart Student Center Sunburst Lounge to rally in support of the war with Iraq.
The USU College Republicans organized the rally to show support for the U.S. troops and the freedom of Iraq.
“We believe that this is a noble and worthy cause to protect our country from terrorists and from evil men that would harm and destroy our way of life,” Gabriel White, College Republicans president, said.
As students waved American flags above their heads and patriotic music filled the lounge, various speakers took the opportunity to explain what freedom is about.
Tom Robins, state vice chairman for College Republicans, explained that U.S. citizens have the right to voice their opinions about the war because they have fought for freedom time and time again.
“It is not an easy path, because freedom is not free,” he said.
Robins said he attended various anti-war rallies in Washington D.C. over Spring Break and witnessed first-hand the contention and hatred some U.S. citizens feel about the war.
White emphasized that the United States has tried everything for peace, and war is the only answer.
“Inspections haven’t worked. Talk hasn’t worked. Diplomacy hasn’t worked. So let’s see if kickin’ some a- – might work,” he said.
Mike Brockbrader, a student who served in the U.S. Navy, said he would go back in a heartbeat to serve his country.
“I don’t like to kill lives. I’m sure nobody in the Persian Gulf likes to kill anybody, but we have to do it for the long run for our children,” he said. “The ironic thing is nothing’s changed from the first war to the second war. We’re still liberating somebody.”
However, Brockbrader said he has no respect for people who come to the United States to enjoy its rights without gaining citizenship. Particularly, he alluded to Medlir Mema, an Albanian student who spoke out against the war earlier this month.
“Iraq is not a national interest. There is no dissent. Democracy promotes dissension. We need to tell President Bush that he cannot fight in our name,” Mema said at a peace rally held on campus March 5.
“Our Albanian friend that spoke out the other day – the lowest regard of respect for that man,” Brockbrader said. “He comes in and uses our country and then spits upon it. Send him back home. If he doesn’t enjoy America, go home!”
Only a few people against the war were at the rally but did not take part. Joe Huish, USU Campus Police patrol officer, said the rally was much like the last one on campus for the fact that everyone maintained himself and showed restraint.
“Everybody respected each other and they agreed to disagree,” he said.
Guy Serbin, a student who lived in Israel for 11 years, said Saddam Hussein is a dictator who murders his people and gives money to support terrorism.
“It’s time we demand that the people in the Middle East get the dignity they deserve,” he said.
As the last main speaker for the rally, Jason Smith, president of Club Hub, choked up when he spoke of his brother who is being deployed.
“My father once taught me that something is only worth what you’re willing to pay for. How much are we willing to pay for the things that we want in life? How much would you be willing to pay for freedom? What price would you pay for peace?” he said.
Aside from listening to speakers, participants recited the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the national anthem and had a moment of silence for the soldiers who have died in the war.
Jill Brown, a junior majoring in liberal arts, attended the rally in support of the war.
“If people were informed, they wouldn’t be opposing the war,” she said.
Heather Shaw, a freshman majoring in general education, said she feels as if war is the only way to solve the conflict.
“People need to realize that we are allowing war because we want peace. Twelve years of talking hasn’t done anything,” she said.
The College Republicans will be holding another rally April 9 at 12:30 p.m. on the TSC patio.
-mmackay@cc.usu.edu