Anti-war protesters close down recruiting center
By: Zac Farber, Editor in Chief
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: News
"We chose this particular place," Cox said, "because we think it is the closest thing there is to a military presence in the cities."
Cox said that 70 percent of the Iraqi people want the United States to leave and that it is time to withdraw American troops.
"We've been relying on the idea that the people who were elected will get the U.S. out of Iraq soon," she said, referring to the Democratic victories in House and Senate elections in 2006.
She cautioned against similar false hopes for change in the presidential election. "The dream candidates-as wonderful and idealistic as they are-might not be the be all and end all," she said.
The protesters' press statement, which they distributed to local media, hinted at dissatisfaction with the limited role of direct democracy in the American political system. "We will not tolerate a system," the statement read, "which only allows for dissent to be registered through infrequent elections and party politics."
Bryan Axelrod, a sophomore at the U of M, served three tours of duty in Iraq's Anbar province. He said that the protesters thwarted potential recruits who showed interest in non-controversial military positions such as navy doctor or pilots who assisted in rescue missions after Hurricane Katrina.
"The only way the occupation is going to end," he said, "is when the Iraqi government is strong enough to stand by its own."
Axelrod countered the protesters' claim that Iraqis want the United States out of their country.
"What you don't really hear about," he said, "is the Iraqis who invite American soldiers into their homes when they're already at war, and they offer them food and offer them water."
But most of the Macalester students in attendance disagreed.
"I think it's really important," Natalia Shulkin '08 said, "that people speak out against the war and what's happening in our name."
Many Macalester students heard about the Minneapolis protest at a "speakout" against the war held at 11 a.m. that morning at Bateman Plaza.
Cox said that 70 percent of the Iraqi people want the United States to leave and that it is time to withdraw American troops.
"We've been relying on the idea that the people who were elected will get the U.S. out of Iraq soon," she said, referring to the Democratic victories in House and Senate elections in 2006.
She cautioned against similar false hopes for change in the presidential election. "The dream candidates-as wonderful and idealistic as they are-might not be the be all and end all," she said.
The protesters' press statement, which they distributed to local media, hinted at dissatisfaction with the limited role of direct democracy in the American political system. "We will not tolerate a system," the statement read, "which only allows for dissent to be registered through infrequent elections and party politics."
Bryan Axelrod, a sophomore at the U of M, served three tours of duty in Iraq's Anbar province. He said that the protesters thwarted potential recruits who showed interest in non-controversial military positions such as navy doctor or pilots who assisted in rescue missions after Hurricane Katrina.
"The only way the occupation is going to end," he said, "is when the Iraqi government is strong enough to stand by its own."
Axelrod countered the protesters' claim that Iraqis want the United States out of their country.
"What you don't really hear about," he said, "is the Iraqis who invite American soldiers into their homes when they're already at war, and they offer them food and offer them water."
But most of the Macalester students in attendance disagreed.
"I think it's really important," Natalia Shulkin '08 said, "that people speak out against the war and what's happening in our name."
Many Macalester students heard about the Minneapolis protest at a "speakout" against the war held at 11 a.m. that morning at Bateman Plaza.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
dm60462
posted 4/04/08 @ 4:48 PM CST
Amazing that the most uneducated people are from an educational institution. "They made these really cool box structures to lock their arms in," she said. (Continued…)
Clint F
posted 4/05/08 @ 2:32 PM CST
The cops should just have added a few locks of their own and left them to their stupidity.
Herman
posted 4/11/08 @ 2:07 AM CST
Kayla Burchuk '10 helped sell the onlookers on the benefits of traveling 4.5 miles to cheer on the protesters.
"sell?" I can't believe this nonsensical line ran. (Continued…)
Lou
posted 4/11/08 @ 7:50 PM CST
You guys are AWESOME! We've been shutting down the recruitment office in Berkeley. Its time to spread this to every town in the country. TROOPS OUT NOW!
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