Shut the War Down - SDS Protests Army Recruitment Station
On November 15, 2006, students, anti-war activists, and concerned community members marched together down Franklin Street to protest the new Army recruiting station opening up in Chapel Hill. We chanted, yelled, and loudly proclaimed our frustration and disapproval of both the current war in Iraq and of the new recruiting station (issues which are undeniably related).
Upon the arrival at the recruiting station, we were surprised not only to find a group of veterans gathered for a counter protest, but also to discover that the recruiting station was not, in fact, opening on the day that we had been informed it would. The tension and confusion was almost tangible, but we proceeded according to plan. Several members of our Community Coalition gave speeches about their opinions towards the opening of the recruiting station and the Iraq war. Pam Schwingl spoke for the group NC Choices, a group dedicated to making high school students aware of their post-graduation opportunities. Emily McFarlane spoke on behalf of UNC-Chapel Hill’s chapter of Feminist Students United, Ben Carroll for UNC SDS, and Peter Gilbert for F.I.S.T. (Fight Imperialism Stand Together). As protesters we were spreading a message of peace, urging fairer recruiting practices and a crackdown on sexist and violent attacks in the military. And, as was expected, our message was attacked by the veterans. Their counter-arguments consisted mostly of name-calling and profanity, one young Iraq war veteran becoming so hostile and intense in his insults that the police had to politely escort him away.
This does not mean, however, that we parted on bad terms with the counter-protesters. In fact, Raleigh Charter High School student Gerri Hubbe was even seen shaking hands with several veterans after civilly debating with them.
The protest was successful in preventing the station from opening up quietly, drawing media attention and alerting the community of its newest arrival. We hope to continue to fight against the current recruiting practices and eventually remove stations from the area as well as continue to spread community awareness.
UNC Chapel Hill SDS
November 30, 2006
Trash the place
The only way that damn thing is going to move is if it gets trashed, probably more than onece. TP it, paint it, whatever, we need to get them out of there.
Read the Paper
Both the News & Observer and the Durham Herald printed stories the day before your protest that the recruiting station would not be open. Unlike you those veterans you met earned the right to the freedom that you are enjoying without having contributed anything to society. Someday when you grow up you will realize how childish and insipid your tantrums are-or, maybe you won't ever grow up, just old and ever more foolish.
Yeah free speech is childish
Yeah free speech is childish and stupid. I guess free speech is okay as long as you salute the flag and all that other nonsense. The troops are dying and being maimed for nothing. The war in Iraq is not about our freedoms, at all. These troops are being forced NOT to contribute to our society. They are being forced to destroy societies. They are being destroyed. Wake up.
Childish reply
No, free speech is a valuable freedom that is squandered by those who speak from ignorance. Your petulant reply to the earlier posting just reinforces the point. The soldiers who are protecting your right to speak out know that they are contributing to the future of this country and democracy. What are you doing?
They will grow up
Like a lot of us who protested the war in Viet Nam these guy will eventually learn.