Students protest U.S. foreign policy in Iraq

Oberlin activists travel to Columbus to contest viewpoints of U.S. officials

Think 15 Oberlin students can change the minds of U.S. foreign policy makers? Some students do.

Approximately 15 Oberlin students traveled two hours to Columbus Wednesday to protest the government's support of bombing in Iraq. Columbus played host to a forum held at Ohio State University on military policy regarding Iraq.

U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Defense Secretary William Cohen and National Security Adviser Sandy Berger spoke at the town-meeting style forum. Their goal was to convince the public to support their stance on taking military action against Iraq.

The Oberlin students were among many in the crowd of 6,000 who protested military action.

"I went to Columbus because I feel really strongly that the U.S. should not bomb Iraq," sophomore Liz Rosenberg said. "Specifically, I think the use of tactical nuclear weapons to incinerate biological and chemical weapon caches and try out new technology is morally indefensible and absolutely outrageous."

Rosenberg said she and other Oberlin students joined approximately 300 other activists in picketing outside the basketball arena where the meeting was held. Slogans on the signs they created included "Iraq is a country, not one man" and "Iraqi children pay with their lives."

Although the protesters were not allowed to bring their signs inside the arena, senior Jonathan Edmonds said the shouting and heckling did not die down once they entered the building.

"I hadn't anticipated being disruptive when I went, but I'm glad it did turn into somewhat of a shouting match because it captured lots of attention. It put the issue in the limelight as a subject that needs further discussion," Edmonds said.

Students were especially angered at the format of the meeting, saying that although officials promised that anybody could ask a question, many people were barred from doing so.

"It really was staged by CNN," Rosenberg said, referring to the network that sponsored the forum and obtained exclusive broadcasting rights. "They screened all the questions so Madeleine Albright and the others didn't have to answer questions they didn't want to."

Junior Kim Defeo said security officers were doing their part to silence some audience members, as well. "They were definitely picking and choosing among members, deciding who could speak and who couldn't," she said. "They also dragged some shouters off."

Despite what the students perceived to be the officials' attempt to quell some of the protests, they were pleased with the outcome of the forum.

Junior Dan Spalding said joining in the protest was very rewarding. "It was an incredibly inspiring experience for everybody involved. We were able to make our own voice and make sure we were heard even when they didn't want us to be."

Rosenberg was interviewed by ABC Nightline and spoke out against bombing Iraq. "I was fairly pleased overall with the media coverage of this event, because for the most part the press was able to represent the public as not supporting the use of force. We definitely shook up the town meeting. We stalled them a lot and made them falter," she said.

Junior Piper Weinberg said, "It was effective seeing that national and international discrepancies were shown in U.S. foreign policy. We got our voices across, but at the same time the few questions people were allowed to ask weren't responded to directly. At the end of the day I was both invigorated and infuriated."

With the forum's protesters making national headlines, students feel that the battle is over but the war has just begun. Now they are working to bring the protests closer to home.

Weinberg and senior Tara McDonnell helped organize a rally set to happen at the corner of College and Main St. this Saturday.

"We felt there wasn't much dialogue about this issue on campus, so we planned an organizational meeting where everybody gets together," she said. Guest speakers will include Professor of Politics Benjamin Schiff, as well as leaders of various campus organizations.

Members of the Oberlin community are also doing their part to show their anger at U.S. foreign policy officials.

On Wednesday Steve and Mary Hammond, co-pastors at the First Baptist Church, held their first weekly vigil for peace since the Gulf War.

"Vigils have a long history here in Oberlin. It doesn't seem like very long ago that we were out here because of Iraq, and now here we are again," Steve said.

He read Mark Twain's War Prayer to the crowd of 25 residents and students gathered in the rain at the Historic Elm Site of Tappan Square. Mary Hammond then read excerpts from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s essay entitled, "On Loving your Enemies."

The group decided to continue its vigil each Wednesday for as long as necessary. Mary Hammond encouraged people to send letters to Congress, as well. "Sending thoughtful letters to Congress can make even more of a difference than these gatherings, though these make us feel better," she said.

Junior Sarah Park attended the vigil because, she said, "I was concerned that there's been absolutely no discussion among Oberlin students over what was going on in Iraq." Park also helped plan Saturday's rally.

Mary Hammond told the crowd that it is past time Oberlin students and community members fought against this issue. "Everybody's been sleeping over this because of other White House issues, and it's time that Oberlin started protesting in Oberlin tradition," she said.