This multimedia presentation brought to you by the Columbia Daily Spectator.
Multimedia Editor: Matt Mireles | Online Editor: Robin Yang
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[click here to return to main report on Feb. 15 student strikes and protests against the war]
There were at least 300 people who joined the rally in the center of campus on 2/15 to demonstrate against the war in Iraq. Dozens of professors supported the strike, signed a petition in support of the strike, and/or cancelled class. Two unions on campus supported the strike either officially or unofficially. There were members of these unions at the demonstrations. Signs at the rally ranged from the “Impeach Bush for War Crimes” to “Bush is a liar,” to “rekindle the flame of protest” and everything in between. There was a spirited march into the surrounding neighborhood and back onto the campus, where a teach-in drew well over 200 people.
The teach-in was very popular. People listened attentively. There was a room for 175 people that was continuously packed throughout the teach-in and a spillover room, where a simulcast of the teach-in was shown on a TV screen. Speakers at the teach-in included several Columbia faculty members, a local community activist, a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, and a member of an organization that draws attention to and opposes attacks and round-ups of Muslims and South Asians. There was a lively Q&A and people seemed interested to talk more about the topics of the war and the Bush regime and what to do next. It seemed like students were refreshed to hear a very political platform, message, and presentations that were so relevant to what was happening in the world.
One thing that came out of this whole push to demonstrate on February 15th at Columbia was the great number of articles in the campus newspaper about the strike and the discussions that went on in classrooms, between friends, in the halls of the dorms: “How bad is it really and should we do something about it?” is a question one could overhear just walking around campus in the days leading up to the strike. People were very much engaging this question and seeking out how they felt about this.
Reading the Call to Drive Out the Bush Regime at the Columbia University rally:
Pictures:
