Holding signs emblazoned with the words ‘No War, No KKK, No Fascist USA,’ a group of five students and professors weathered the rain Friday afternoon to protest a potential U.S. war in Iran.
Protestors from the Binghamton Political Initiative ‘ a group that works to raise awareness concerning issues of social justice and peace ‘ gathered in front of the Library Tower to demonstrate their opposition to the war in Iraq and oppressive American military activity in the Middle East.
Reinhard Bernbeck, an anthropology professor at Binghamton University and member of BPI, said he believed world peace would never be a possibility as long as the United States continues to ‘invade countries like Iran.’
Bernbeck compared Bush’s actions in the Middle East to Hitler’s ‘burnt soil’ tradition during World War II ‘ a tactic used by the German army to completely destroy a region upon retreat.
‘It is like Hitler, because Bush is destroying everything, including his own country,’ he said.
A sign reading ‘Hitler started WWII, Is Bush starting WWIII?’ echoed Bernbeck’s sentiments.
Other members of the group shared Bernbeck’s opinions of the war.
‘There is a certain way of treating humans respectably, and this war violates that,’ said Maria Starzmann, an anthropology major.
Starzmann said the American public does not know enough about what is going on in Iran, and is ignorant to the country’s culture and history.
Seamus Dolan, a Binghamton University senior who participated in the protest, said his frustration with apathy on campus was his main motivation to participate.
‘We need to create more of a political energy; there’s a void of it on campus,’ he said.
He added that he hoped to inspire at least one or two students to think more about political activism.
Susan Pollock, an anthropology professor at the protest, agreed that too many students are disinterested in the situation in Iran. She said she hoped the protest raised awareness among students.
‘I urge them to get involved, and BPI welcomes any new inspiration,’ Pollock said.
Some students went out of their way to avoid BPI members handing out fliers. Graduate student Stacie Miller said she wasn’t aware that the demonstration was going on.
‘I didn’t even know it was a protest,’ Miller said.
Miller said she believed that many more students would have joined if the event was given greater publicity.
The College Republicans were considering a counter demonstration, but decided to hold off on the event, according to the group’s president, Ari Feinman.
‘We were notified about the rally on such short notice and were considering organizing a counter protest, with a theme ‘support our troops,’ Feinman said. ‘But with such short notice to work with, if the rally had turned out to be a low turnout it would’ve done more harm than good for our image.’
According to Feinman, the group is still considering holding a counter protest in three weeks.
BPI holds protests on the 19th of every month in commemoration of March 19, 2003, when the United States first invaded Iraq.