We cannot forget the destruction

Author: PHIL ARONEANU ’06.5

On Saturday, Sept. 24, 16 Middlebury students traveled to Washington D.C. to take part in an anti-war rally and march. The event, sponsored by the A.N.S.W.E.R. and United for Peace and Justice coalitions, attracted over 200,000 people from around the country, making it the largest anti-war demonstration since before U.S. troops were sent to Iraq. While the war may still be in newspaper headlines, the bombings and killings for many have been eclipsed by other news. With New Orleans and parts of Mississippi and Texas in shambles, we have much to think about domestically.

But we must not forget that at this moment, U.S. troops are in Iraq trying to hold together a government in the face of violent insurgence. Each day, more people are killed. The official estimate of Americans killed since the beginning of the war is nearing 2,000, and the civilian casualties are estimated to be as high as 27,000. We have reached a quagmire in negotiations among opposing factions within the Iraqi-run government, and the plan of action that President George W. Bush alluded to during the spring of 2003, when the war began, has all but disappeared.

As we try to rebuild from the destruction caused by Rita and Katrina, we must also think to the devastation that has occurred and is continuing to occur in Iraq.

Protestors rallied Saturday in Washington for a variety of reasons, and came from a variety of backgrounds: Republican and Democrat, military and civilian. They all agreed on one thing - that the current military occupation of Iraq is failing, and drastic measures must be taken to stem unnecessary deaths. The Middlebury students who attended the events, along with many other Vermonters, marched with the Bread and Puppet theater group from Glover. Over 100 life-sized puppets made of brown papier-mâché, called "The Populations" were carried by volunteers.

The puppets moved in small groups, interacting with each other and often moving in unison, representing both the implicit consent U.S. citizens give the government to continue the war, as well as the helplessness of civilians in Iraq in the face of chaos and violence.

For those who were involved, using art and theater was a creative and effective way to voice dissent - something that has been deemed unpatriotic by some. On the long drive back from Washington on Sunday, mulling over the meaning of what had occurred the day before, everybody felt that democracy without dissent is, in fact, no democracy at all.

Making your voice heard in protest of an unjust war with no end in sight is one of the most patriotic acts.