Protestors march on Washington

The streets of D.C. were flooded with people including some Blazers, holding signs reading, "End the occupation" and "Impeach Bush", while the air was filled with the chants of "Money for jobs and education not for occupation."

On Saturday, October 25, 2003 thousands came to Washington to protest the war and occupation in Iraq. The rally and march was sponsored by International A.N.S.W.E.R, Act Now to Stop War and End Racism, and United for Peace and Justice. The protest began in the morning with speeches and then gave way to a march that circled the White House.

Protestors spoke out against the continuing violence in Iraq, the financial burdens of the war and President Bush's policies. A diverse group of people attended the event to speak out against the war. Family members of soldiers in Iraq and Veterans for Peace had a strong presence. Palestinian students, and high school students from the Bronx also took part in the march.

Several Blair students who opposed the actions of the U.S. in Iraq were in the crowd. Juniors Sebastian Brown and Chris Wilhelm participated in the march.

Wilhelm attended the march to express his views about America's role in the world. "I went because of my opinions about international issues and U.S. foreign policy. I was opposed to the invasion of Iraq and now I am opposed to the occupation of Iraq, which needs to end," said Wilhelm.

Wilhelm thinks that the youth need to get involved in the anti-war movement and voice their opinions. He felt there was a showing of teens and young people at the protest, which he says is a good sign for the strength of the anti-war movement.

Protestors began chants of one hundred thousand, the number of people demonstration organizers estimated to be in attendance. However, D.C. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey estimated the crowd at about 40,000 to 50,000, large, but not as big at the January protest, which was the largest antiwar demonstration in D.C. since the Vietnam War. Also, despite the large crowds no arrests were made, according to The Washington Post.

Blair has had a strong ant-war movement and sense of political awareness in the past year. SGR, Students for Global Responsibility, sponsored a student walk out against the war last year and has held debates on the war.