2008 Woodie Awards
Students mobilize for Iraq war
Progressive Democrats of Towson demonstrate stance on occupation throughout campus
Nick DiMarco
News | 4/28/08
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The march capped off the Iraq War Week of Action, which featured a voter registration day, a discussion forum and a fund-raiser for Iraq war veterans.
At 3:30 p.m., about 25 students began at the Speaker's Circle outside Hawkins Hall and proceeded to chant phrases such as "What do we want? Troops out. When do we want it? Now." And "Show me what democracy looks like. This is what democracy looks like," turned heads from students sitting outside on a hot April day.
Co-organizing director for PDOT Heather Kangas, led the chants, wielding a megaphone at the front of the pack.
"We needed to do something to get the students' attention on this campus. You don't get a lot of action or feelings from students unless you do something that stirs some emotion," Kangas said. "Whether they agreed with us or we annoyed them because we disrupted their pretty day on 'the beach,' [the grassy area outside of Linthicum Hall] this definitely got their attention."
The march followed last semester's course beginning at the Speaker's Circle and snaking through to York Road, where passing cars honked in support of PDOT's cause. However others, such as students playing sports on Newell Field, matched cheers with jeers, shouting in disapproval.
"It's their right. I'm fine with them yelling at us as long as they're fine with us yelling back," Brian Ward, former PDOT president and current member, said.
Ward, now a senior, said he has encountered many students who disagree with his numerous activist activities. He and Kangas said it was a matter of mutual respect and that protests, like the war march, were targeted toward apathetic students, uncertain of how they feel about the conflict in Iraq.
"I hope that some students who saw us today may be thinking again when they go to vote or when they read the news, and maybe that they get inspired to take action on a local level," Kangas said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Jared
posted 4/30/08 @ 2:12 PM EST
The most ridiculous thing. The sign in the picture is just as dumb as the march. "Money for Jobs and Education, not War."
Sound good at first, but do these "progressives" understand that the government has nothing to do with the job market? Trust me, I want the pointless war to end as much as anyone else, but ending it and cutting spending will not create more jobs. (Continued…)
Heather Kangas
posted 4/30/08 @ 11:29 PM EST
Jared, let me express how sorry I am that the organization demonstrating disrupted your precious class time. The Progressive Democrats of Towson are all about sticking with the status quo and not utilizing first amendment rights. (Continued…)
Student
posted 5/05/08 @ 2:58 AM EST
Hey Heather, let me express how sorry i am to inform you that Towson U is an educational inst. first off, and going into the halls shows the total disreguard that you have for those of us trying to get an education so we can better both our lives and the lives of those around us. (Continued…)
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