UNT students join walkout in war protest

by Arlinda Arriaga of North Texas Daily

DENTON — Protesters shouted "1, 2, 3, 4, stop the killing, stop the war," as they filed out of the University Union to the Free Speech Area Monday morning during the Walkout Against War and Campus Military Recruitment, organized by the NT United Aid organization.

Highland Village freshman Kareen Kuether said she wants to put an end to injustice and exercise her right to democracy.

"I have two brothers in Iraq, and George Bush and this administration need to bring the troops home," she said.

Kuether and nearly 40 other protesters, including students, community members and supporters from cities as far as Austin, held signs reading "Patriots, this is real life speech," and "No War in Iran" took turns voicing their opinions on the people's microphone.

Honolulu, Hawaii, graduate student Rob Long said Monday's walkout was to raise awareness.

"The point is that our government is lying to us about 9/11, and it seems to be the popular conception that people have forgot what is going on," he said.

Some students walked by the protest and joined the group while others observed.

While standing beside the protest, Highland Village junior Brendan Celiz said he felt the protest was disrespectful to the troops.

"I just disagree with the way they are going about it, and it doesn't seem like they have the established facts," he said. "I don't think they should pull the troops out. This group doesn't seem to realize the progress the Iraqi government is making."

Grand Prairie junior and chairman of the NT Young Conservatives Shawn Grissiths said he understood the protesters' viewpoints, but a walkout was pointless.

"I think the military has just as much right to recruit as they do to protest, and to have a walkout is a waste, especially because they are walking out of classes they pay money for," he said.

Other non-student protesters said this protest was a proactive way for students to voice their opinions. Sammie Haren with Peace Action Denton said she protested the Vietnam War, and students had the right to protest.

"Students and active military are the ones who rattle the cages of change," she said.

Organizers painted their hands red, representing the five fingers for five years too long in the war. They also had a demonstration of waterboarding, which they said is a form of torture used by the military.

Celiz said the protest was not justifiable.

"It's easier to say 'stop the war,' but they don't think of the consequences," he said.