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Opposition to War Grows By Channing Joseph
Joining
a growing international anti-war movement, Oberlin students have
come together to oppose a U.S. war with Iraq through a student
coalition, Oberlin Coalition Against the War. Bringing together
activists with a diverse set of political interests, the
newly-formed umbrella group is planning a number of public actions
to unite members of the local community around a five-point agenda.
Their agenda centers upon opposing military aggression Iraq, ending
U.S. economic sanctions on Iraq, defending civil liberties,
demanding money for education and health-care and commitment to
anti-oppression. “People are coming out against the war by the
tens of thousands,” junior coalition member Vanessa Fatton said. “We
need to organize ourselves on a local, national and international
level… We have the momentum… [and] we just need to take it
forward.” OCAW has gathered over 100 signatures in a petition
calling for a Student Senate referendum publicly stating that the
Oberlin student body opposes a war in Iraq. Through the Senate
referendum, the group hopes to gather more local attention to their
anti-war cause. OCAW is also continuing to organize campus
caravans to peace rallies, such as recent ones in New York City and
Washington, D.C., as well as an upcoming demonstration in Columbus
this Saturday, Nov. 10. The Coalition is not, however, limiting
its activities to protests and demonstrations. As part of its
current plan, the group is calling a regional anti-war conference to
be held at Oberlin College during the weekend of Dec. 7-8, and which
will specifically focus on organizing and educating youth and
student activists from Ohio and surrounding states. Delegations from
many colleges throughout the Midwest region are expected to attend,
including Ohio State University, University of Michigan, University
of Minneapolis and Antioch College. “We are going to bring in
speakers and invite faculty to hold workshops… [as well as invite]
other student organizations from other schools,” senior Marianna
Leavy-Sperounis, one of the Coalition’s most vocal and active
members, said. “The theme is organizing the organizers and bringing
together youth and student activists so that we can come together to
create a broader coalition.” Possible topics for the conference’s
workshops include: understanding Islam, the post-World War II
history of Iraq, U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East since the
Gulf War, and the role of the media since Sept. 11, 2001. “We
want to come out of [this conference] better educated and with a
network [of activists] prepared to call actions and take the
movement forward,” Fatton said. The organization is also lending
its support to the recent demonstrations against College layoffs, as
well as planning a national day of action with the “Not In Our Name”
youth and student committee for Nov. 20. The group is considering a
walk-out, teach-in or other form of public demonstration on that
day. On the whole, the members of OCAW seem to have a positive
outlook for the work that the Coalition is doing. “Just given how
quickly youth organizations have mobilized this fall and their
overwhelming presence at anti-war demonstrations in D.C. and New
York, I am very optimistic that we can build a vibrant and active
youth and student anti-war movement,” Leavy-Sperounis
said. Leavy-Sperounis, however, did not seem naïve in her
ambitions. “Given the Republican sweep in Tuesday’s election,”
she said, “it’s clear just how much we’re up against in this fight,
but the anti-war movement as a whole is growing rapidly, and I think
we could have a significant impact on the course our government
takes in Iraq.” | |
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