Artwork by
Dennis Murphy

For the students, by the students

Students hold anti-Bush rally
Adam Buckallew, Corner Post Staff

March 17, 2004 - An anti-Bush rally was held Wednesday, March 17th near Speaker's Circle at 11:30 a.m. Nearly 30 students showed up for the rally despite steady rainfall. During the rally, speakers took turns talking into a bullhorn and criticizing President Bush and his term of office. Topics of discussion included the war in Iraq, drugs, and foreign policy. Several students held signs that had various comments such as "End the occupation" and "Bring the troops home."

Dan Dethrow, a senior majoring in music, said the rally's goal was also to inform students of a larger rally that will be held in Columbia, March 20th.

"This rally is to prepare students for the larger rally on Saturday," Dethrow said.

That rally is being put together by Peaceworks, an organization dedicated to justice, human rights, and sustainable economies. The Peaceworks rally will start at 11 a.m. outside the Columbia Post Office. The group plans to march to Courthouse Square, where they will gather for their rally. Peaceworks goal is to turn out 549 participants, the number of soldiers who have died in the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Robbie Gadd, a freshman majoring in history, said he hoped to attend the Peaceworks rally on the 20th.

Gadd said, "We need to point out the social injustices in America that go unpublicized. Something must be done about the dominance of one party over the government. The checks and balances are just not working."

Not all students in attendance at the rally agreed with Gadd and Dethrow. A handful of students gathered on the edge of the rally to show encouragement for U.S. troops and the military. Several of those students held flags and posters with supportive messages. Chip Walter, president of the Mizzou College Republicans, was one of the few students who showed up in opposition to the rally.

"It never hurts to hear what the other side is saying," Walter said.

Walter said, in response to the rally participants anti-war protesting, "Is the cost of lives worth war, history would tell us yes."

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