When the 4th anniversary of the Iraq War arrived, the Young Democratic Socialists increased the visibility of our peace work.  As YDS and the majority of the American public want a quick end to this war, the Bush Administration promotes troop surges and mistreats wounded veterans.  While far from perfect, the new Congress appears to be taking steps towards ending the conflict, despite the administration’s unrepentant militarism.   One of the main reasons for this political change is the great work of activists and coalitions who understand the need to pressure elected officials in order to end the war.  The National Youth and Student Peace Coalition (NYSPC), of which YDS is a proud member, is one of these coalitions. As part of our work with the NYSPC, YDS members, chapters, and allies participated in 4th anniversary peace actions with the theme “Books not Bombs.”
    Two YDS chapters in particular used both protest and politics to advance the peace movement.  The YDS chapter at New Meadows High School in Las Vegas held an in-school rally to educate about the anti-war movement.  They brought an honorably discharged member of the military to speak about the faults of the war and the needs for a grassroots anti-war movement.  After the speaker, the YDS branch members organized the student body to sign a 3’ by 4’ poster-petition symbolizing their opposition to the Iraq War and the desire for the new Congressional leadership to take stronger actions toward ending the conflict.  The poster was then mailed off to their Senator and the Majority Leader Harry Reid’s office.  Michigan State University YDS, wearing their NYSPC “Books not Bombs” buttons, joined with hundreds to march down Grand River/Michigan Avenue to the office of House Rep. Mike Rogers.  They then joined 400 protestors in the median on Grand River for the peak of the protest.  
    Other groups participated in different ways.  New York YDS joined with our NYSPC coalition partners and marched together at the United for Peace and Justice Rally on March 18th.  University of Central Arkansas YDS participated in the national Tent State University campaign, with the theme “Education not Bombs,” and plans to stage a “die-in” for the future.  The California State University at Sacramento’s Campus Progressive Alliance (which includes several YDS members) tabled from March 12-16 to promote awareness about anti-war activities.  Their table included information on the billions of dollars that have been dumped into the war machine, the reasons why the military really wants people to join, careers in peacemaking and social change, and of Sacramento peace actions occurring in the next two weeks.  Around 30 students picked up “Books not Bombs” buttons at their table.  On the day of action, the group not only wore their “Books not Bombs” buttons but set-up a “Walk in their Shoes” display to bring awareness to the real costs of war: human lives. The display of 85-100 different shoes representing the thousands of innocent Iraqis killed went all day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the library quad.
    Reflecting on the meaning of “Books not Bombs” theme, CSU student Mallory Fites said “it’s simple and expresses what we, as students really want, which is the money in this country to go towards our education, not war. Instead of destroying future generations around the world, we believe the administration should be investing that money into educating its youth for the future.”  Purdue student John Slavin echoed her sentiments, exclaiming: “I believe it is a very positive message that the powers that be need to recognize that the domestic issues are vastly more important than the ‘defensive’ measures of weaponry.”  He concluded that he and his club, the Purdue Alliance of Libertarian Socialists, will wear the “Books not Bombs” buttons “at the next anti-war demos and whenever we do any relating action.”

 

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