By Christina-Alexa Liakos
While most students were heading home for Easter break, 20 GMC community members stuck around to join more than 150 other citizens of central Vermont for a demonstration, rally and peace concert to voice that 5 years is too many.
Many people felt inspiration from the youth movement that was present at the rally and demonstration. The United States has now been in the Iraq war for 5 years, entering the 6th year with 4,000 U.S. soldiers dead, along with hundreds of thousands of Iraqi soldiers and civilian casualties. The message many Vermont citizens voiced was the need for unification to create an immediate plan to end the war and occupation of Iraq and to support our troops by bringing them home now.
Following the demonstration on Rt.7 in Rutland was a march to the UU Church where a large gathering listened to speeches ranging from student activists, veterans of war, and Anthony Pollina, candidate for Governor representing the Progressive Party.
Many musicians for peace performed following, including a group from GMC with our very own Laird Christensen, Harold Vance, and Keith Drinkwine. The event was sad, in memoranda of all the soldiers and civilians who have died over the past 5 years, and the recognition of an military occupation that many Americans do not agree with.
GMC student Keith Drinkwine felt inspired by the event, which was not only run by Central Vermont Peace and Justice, but also the Student Peace Alliance of Rutland County. “It was great to see so many younger people there, especially all those who turned out from GMC … I think it’s important that people continue speaking the truth so that our generation does not feel like they can’t make a difference, we most certainly can, and we must,” stated Drinkwine.
The UU Church was quite a sight and held lots of sorrow and yet a strong sense of energy inside with all that were there and all the banners and messages individuals carried with them. One poster stated that the war has now cost Rutland County $16.1 million dollars alone while others voiced their concerns about education and health care cuts due to the war in the state of Vermont alone. Some held noisemakers and drums with sounds of peace resonating throughout while others told personal stories of friends and family members who have returned from the war in completely different states of mind.
Although at times it can be frustrating that many “people would rather not be bothered, and not until it directly affects them, are willing to do anything about it, but it is nice to see that over 100 of us came out and are willing to speak up when they see our government is doing something we don’t like” Drinkwine commented.
