Peaceful protestors rallied in front of the Capitol on Saturday, Jan. 18 in opposition to the Bush Administration's plans to go to war against Iraq. The protest was sponsored by International Answer and drew an estimated 70,000 people of many ages and social backgrounds, including several Macalester students.

The rally began on the lawn of the National Mall, where protestors heard speeches from the Rev. Jesse Jackson, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Jessica Lange, Tyne Daly, and Ron Kovic. Several protestors were also allowed to speak, including one man who drew huge applause saying that instead of sending young people to war, "we should just put Bush and Saddam in a ring together and let them fight it out."

Following the rally, protestors marched two miles to the Washington Navy Yard, starting at the foot of the Capitol and passing through Southeast D.C.

En route, demonstrators continued to express their opposition to war. Some carried signs or donned masks mocking Bush and Cheney. Members of Vietnam Vets Against the War chanted to a military marching tune, while a woman toting a megaphone wove through the crowd, shouting "One, two, three, four, we don't want your racist war."

Others used artistic media to express their views. Several students carried a fifteen-foot, papier mache dove draped in white sheets, which they said they built as a symbol for peace. Many others formed drum circles and pounded rhythms punctuated by periodic shouts of "Drop Bush, Not Bombs."

Many of these oppositional messages came from the hundreds of social advocacy groups represented at the rally. These included the Green Party, Code Pink and Black Voices for Peace. In addition, thousands of concerned citizens from many diverse backgrounds turned out to show their support. Maggie Briggen '05, who drove with her family from New Jersey to attend the rally, says she found this level of diversity inspiring. "I remember there was this one guy with a 'What Would Jesus Do?' sign standing next to another guy waving a Palestinian flag," she said. "I thought it was amazing to see people from totally different walks of life unite like that under a common cause."

According to another protestor from Macaleseter, Perry Bellow-Handelman '05, the protest was effective because different groups were able to convey the same messages without letting their own political agendas interfere. "This rally was different because it wasn't fuelled by anger or competition," she said. "No one fought the cops. 'Free Mumia' or pro-choice were never thrown into the mix. It was all just being opposed to the war— unilaterally."

However, while many students feel the rally was successful at presenting a unified front and generating public support, they are skeptical that it will actually lead to peace. "The wheels for war are already in motion," Perry said. "I don't think [protesting] is going to stop that."

"The important thing, though, is that this is sending a powerful message to the international community that not everyone in America supports this war," Perry said.