| qoprowler.com |
The Prowler |
| Protesting
for peace and justice By Liz Hanlon, A&E Editor As war with Iraq looms closer, Montgomery County students who oppose it are doing something productive: organizing a comprehensive anti-war movement. Montgomery County Students for Peace and Justice (MCSPJ) was established January 17, 2003 by students from Springbrook High School who felt strongly against war with Iraq. The organization has grown since then, and now includes representatives from Blair, Kennedy, Blake, Springbrook, Poolesville, Paint Branch, Good Counsel, Whitman, Wootton, Richard Montgomery, Sherwood and Walter Johnson High Schools. With more schools and students rapidly joining, support is growing from Montgomery County middle and DC-area schools. (There has been discussion of dropping the 'MC' in MCSPJ for this reason, but no decision has been made.) Most recently, a group of interested students decided to represent Quince Orchard and establish a QO chapter of MCSPJ. Since their first meeting February 12, the students have worked to organize themselves and become a presence around the school. On National Student Action Day, February 13, the group passed out informational flyers and black armbands. Right now, their goal is to educate and recruit other interested students. "The more people who get involved, the more we can change things," junior Michael Sutton says. Senior Joelle Rodriguez became involved because she was concerned about Bush's budget cuts in education and his outlined motives for war. She wants her voice to make a difference. "I've always wanted to make myself heard for a cause I believe in. Public opinion is a strong force in politics, and if I can use it to my advantage, I will," she says. "My ultimate goal is to at least educate the masses and have people think for themselves."
"I think it's our responsibility as teachers to give students a chance to learn about the war issue," Keune says. "When we say student groups can't make a difference, that's sad. It's the youth that will make changes; we need to make them feel empowered." The group, although affiliated with the MCSPJ, will call itself Students for Ethical Alternatives (SEA). The club is basing itself on the socialist-modeled, goal-oriented county organization. MCSPJ tries to meet once a week at the home of a member. At the beginning of a typical meeting, members convene as one big group, during which time two moderators guide a discussion. These moderators are volunteers, and are different people each meeting. After the initial group meeting, the members break up into their work groups. "Scenario" plans events. "Lit and Media" does research for making flyers and petitions, and makes up media releases. "Arts and Crafts" makes armbands, posters and buttons. "Outreach" works to get other schools in the county involved in the anti-war movement, while "Budget" works to finance and manage the money for MCSPJ. There are no officially appointed leaders in SPJ and the organization is strictly student-run. However, the group does admit it has received a little help from others who are closely following the activities of the organization, and also from administrators at various schools. "We're not trying to protest the administrations, we're trying to protest the war," member Kate Nagel, a senior at Richard Montgomery, says. "Some of the administrations have been difficult, but a lot of them have been incredibly facilitory with helping us." They have helped the group acquire tables and get petitions signed. Some administrators have even agreed to the planned walkouts under certain conditions. So far, most of the work of the organization has been concentrated on recruiting and on the countywide day of student action, which took place on Valentine's Day, February 14. The day consisted of a rally at 4-Corners with several speakers, followed by a concert at the Washington Ethical Society. The lineup for the show included Human Beings, Look Out Below, Culo Balena, Third Fret, Spoont and QO's own Barcode. The event raised about 700 dollars for MCSPJ, although it is undecided what the money will be spent on. The group is currently working on setting up a bank account for SPJ expenses. With the day of action over, SPJ will continue to spread its influence across the county and hopes to eventually gain national attention. Wednesday, March 12, SEA hosted a debate on U.S. involvement with Iraq. QO students attended and discussed their feelings about the impending war. For more information, talk to a member of SEA or come to a meeting. Meetings are held Tuesdays and Thursdays at lunch in room 326. |