The Advance

Media Credit: Michael Tate [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Michael Tate [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Tina Clark Senior Adam Hulstine "I think the war is wrong, illegal, and there are other ways to solve our nation's problems. I'm here to show patriotism is possible without supporting the war." [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Tina Clark Senior Joe Johnson "We don't necessarily believe in war. But sometimes it's necessary." [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Tina Clark Nick Isely, Sophomore "I'm proud of our troops over there. They are protecting us and our country." [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Tina Clark Prof. Gillespie "I'm here to support a non-violent future. I'm also here to represent those who can't be here. (I'm very concerned for our country.)" [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Paul Green Senior Rodney Wren speaks about the goals of a student counter-demonstration. [Click to enlarge]

The Salina People for Peace organized a rally in front of the steps of Pioneer Hall on Sept. 28. The rally was organized as a call for action to end the war, a war they referred to as a "War on Iraq."

One speaker, Janie Stein, spoke clearly through the sound system: "I say to the politicians…end this war." The People for Peace even brought entertainment, singing songs such as "Blowin' in the Wind" by Bob Dylan. More than 50 people attended this rally.

At the same time, the College Republicans and Campus Democrats joined forces and ran a counter-rally in reaction to The People for Peace's gathering, believing that the People for Peace were going to speak of parallels between the past Socialist governments of Eastern Europe & Northern Asia and the United States. The counter-rally referred to the overseas military action as "The War on Terror." With an audience of students, war veterans of the past, and others, all-told about 30 people, speeches focusing on American ideals and principles were delivered, as many in the audience flew American flags.
Standing at an objective location on the sidewalk, President Kerstetter was glad to celebrate the KWU campus as a place where people of different views can speak on equal terms.

The events were peaceful although the two groups' views differed greatly. The only interaction between the two was the distribution of American flags by the counter-rally goers. The flags were graciously accepted by the peace rally audience.

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