2008 Woodie Awards
Miami student group continues to protest for peace
Dustin Sanders
Issue date: 10/30/07 Section: Community
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Students, faculty, and even a tour group walking by are treated to two fingers held in the air-the universal symbol for peace. There are no pamphlets, no megaphones and no public speaking.
The peace rally is the response of two Miami students to the ongoing Iraq war. Juniors Patrick Frank and Patrick Otto, both 20, are the facilitators of the event.
"We were walking back from class, we thought, 'what could we do at this second to influence the perception of peace and raise awareness of the war here on campus?' We live in such a bubble here on campus, and that influences the viewpoints of the people here," Otto said. "We want to offer a different viewpoint-one of optimism and peace."
Both students stressed that this is a pro-peace rally and not an
anti-war protest.
"Words are important in determining how things are perceived, and we want to act in support of something, not attack the war itself," Otto said. "We're using peace as a means to achieve peace."
Frank and Otto decided to rally for peace because they feel that many problems could be solved at the root if the United States adopts a more peaceful stance in global diplomacy.
"We feel that peace as a whole is the most important," Frank said. "Iraq is a turning point in American foreign policy. We don't need to impose our will on the world. In the American Revolution, the French helped to liberate us from the British, but they didn't stay and impose their own form of government on us."
The rally is mostly limited to signs, spoken words and short slogans such as "smile for peace," as the primary method, according to Frank, is friendliness.
"Whether or not people agree with us, we want them to agree we're being respectful," Frank said.
Senior John Maurer believes the group is not necessarily getting its point across.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 10
S.G.
posted 10/31/07 @ 1:10 AM EST
At first read, this article seems oddly biased. While the majority of the article is devoted to the students involved, I would very much like the author to explain what the statement that this group "could very well be a group of students discussing their weekend" in the opening paragraph is supposed to mean. (Continued…)
JoeS.
posted 11/01/07 @ 12:27 AM EST
Typical liberals. Don't understand that foreign policy needs to be backed up by force.
rex wessel
posted 11/01/07 @ 10:00 AM EST
hmm. poor writing, blatant bias, no style to speak of, and unverified claims... yup, no doubt about it, its an arcticle in the miami student
JoeS
posted 11/01/07 @ 10:57 PM EST
Why do I have to respond to your first comment? I find it pedantic and assuming. My favorite aspect of liberalism is the constant pursuit of being offended. (Continued…)
JoeS
posted 11/04/07 @ 6:33 PM EST
Think Iraq in the 90's. How many diplomatic, non-violent means did we pursue in dealing with the region? I think of many times the UN passed resolutions, clapped themselves on the back, Saddam would violate these resolutions, and then the UN would pretend it never happened. (Continued…)
Patrick Frank
posted 11/05/07 @ 1:27 AM EST
"Peace through superior firepower"
I really hope you do not mean this. I truly hope you understand the implications of what you are saying. We can only pursue peace through peace. (Continued…)
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