Nassau Street's calm was interrupted Saturday by a gathering in Palmer Square for the Emergency Rally Against War with Iraq, cosponsored by the University organization Princeton Peace Network, the Princeton-based Coalition for Peace Action and the New Jersey National Organization for Women chapter.
Amid sounds of traffic and conversations, the rally began with the words of the Rev. Robert Moore, the Coalition for Peace Action's director. Meanwhile, signs stating "Don't Invade Iraq" and "Impeach Bush — the warmonger" were held by several of the people at the rally.
"We will use our first amendment right to speak out," Moore said. He spoke about problems with "the current administration wanting to go to war as quickly as possible," and the need for rallies to "influence and inform members of Congress."
Moore emphasized his belief that Congress — not the president — has the power to declare war against Iraq. Many people at the rally said they share his opinion that alternatives to war are possible.
"We want weapons of mass destruction to be found everywhere, whether in Iraq or the United States," he said.
Elizabeth Volz, N.J. NOW president, described the coalition and its supporters' effort as an "uphill battle."
"We are not going to fold our tent," she said. "We will continue to say yes to peace, no to war."
Voltz's comment led not only to applause, but also to chanting by the crowd.
"I thought it was really good to see so many people out there that were expressing their opinions," Erica Lee '06 said. "They brought up so many good points that went beyond the surface of the issue."
Impassioned speakers, including Zia Mian, lecturer at the Wilson School, echoed the sentiment of the rally, stating a need for the U.S. government to first explore its own holdings of weapons of mass destruction — the largest arsenal worldwide — and allow the implementation of U.N. inspection troops before attempting to wage war.
As a sign proclaimed, "Apathy is not pacifism. No war with Iraq," several speakers challenged lawmakers to undertake alternative options for a commitment to disarmament.
However, the rally was not without dissent. Members of the University-based Princeton Committee Against Terrorism and others also held up their own banners stating "Support Our Troops." Some yelled comments in opposition to those of the speakers and urged patriotism and loyalty with the chant "U.S.A."
"It's funny, because most of these opponents are rich boys from Princeton who will never get drafted into this war if it happens," Keita Atkinson '06 said of the opposition.
The topic of war split the crowd ideologically as well as physically, as picket lines formed.
About 60 people crowded Tiger Park and lined surrounding sidewalks, though organizers said 250 people attended the rally.
The Emergency Coalition drew an ethnically and culturally diverse mix of people to rally behind its cause.
"We may be afraid of . . . terrorists but we are more afraid of our commander-in-chief acting recklessly," she said, leading the crowd to its last chant, "No rush to war."
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