One year later, protesters return downtown
Students bring city to a halt
Pablo Albilal / Correspondent
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Page One
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Protesters held up peace signs to impatient drivers as they waited out the minutes, each one symbolic of one year the U.S. has spent in Iraq.
The sit-in was part of an anti-war demonstration by University students and faculty as well as New Brunswick community members. The crowd took to the streets following a rally organized by the Walk Out Coalition.
Approximately 300 people marched in support of peace in the Middle East and ending the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
The crowd carried colorful signs, waved flags, held banners, chanted and sang for their cause all under the watchful eyes of the New Brunswick police, as well as media on both a local and national level.
As a rally comprised of several speakers came to an end, organizers urged the crowd to participate in an approximately 4 mile march in which students took control of city streets, forcing cars and buses to a standstill. The only exception the crowd made was allowing a lone ambulance passage through the masses.
Students said they decided to march for many reasons. School of Arts and Sciences sophomore Anthony Fuscaldo said he stands against the government's war for financial reasons.
"I'm tired of seeing the taxpayer's money that is contributing to the deaths," he said. "Where's the money for education?"
As marchers passed buses packed with stranded students, they held up peace signs to the passengers and chanted.
"We can't take it anymore! Students can stop this war!" they called in an effort to motivate bus passengers to join their cause.