Loyola students and faculty joined an estimated 1,000 protesters at the United States Court House Thursday, March 20, in response to the first attacks against Iraq.
The protest was held in conjunction with other anti-war rallies that convened throughout the U.S. at 5 p.m.
Organized by war-opposition group, C3 and New Orleans Coalition To Stop The War, the New Orleans protest began on the corner of Camp St. and Poydras in front of the federal courthouse.
“It’s emotionally devastating,” said Loyola English professor, Paulette Swartzfager. “War has far-reaching effects.”
Attacking current war and business policy, protesters carried posters that read “Stop Corporate and Military Globalization.”
Other posters warned onlookers of the cruelty involved in war. One young girl carried a poster reading, “War Kills Kids Like Me.”
Leaving the federal building’s grounds slightly littered, the protesters marched down Camp Street, eventually stopping at Jackson Square. On Canal Street marchers chanted “This is what democracy looks like.” Pedestrians stared at the large group moving slowly down the street with police escort.
“You should see how many of us there are. It’s beautiful!” yelled Claire Davis-Wheeler, Tulane environmental studies senior and co-leader of the march.
Some onlookers offered support with a peace gesture or displayed their disapproval with a middle finger.
Some marchers stepped out to debate with pro-war onlookers and protesters.
“Get on the right side,” yelled Craig Bennen, a Vietnam Veteran. “The Vietnam protests are part of the reason why we lost that war.”
“Have you forgotten 9/11?” another pro-war protester yelled.
Some carried posters that read, “Saddam Is A Direct Threat,” or “Appeasement = Tyranny.”
Twomey Center for Peace and Justice leader, Ted Quant, gave reason for the anti-war movement.
“Right now it is illegal to attack somebody without them first attacking you or threatening you with imminent danger,” he said.
“People out here don’t believe that there is sufficient evidence to prove that Iraq is an imminent threat,” Quant said. “By saying that the U.S. will follow a policy of preemption makes the world more dangerous.”
René Miller, a local businesswoman, attacked the younger protesters’ dedication.
“They’re just rich people with nothing better to do,” she said. “Most of them are kids from Loyola or Tulane.”
At the intersection of St. Peter and Decatur streets, about 17 protesters attempted a sit-in on the street.
Chanting, “Whose streets? Our Streets,” they refused to move and the NOPD threatened to arrest them.
The group was eventually persuaded to move before any arrests were made.
The protest ended without any arrests, unlike other 5 p.m. protests around the country.
More than 1,000 protesters were arrested in San Francisco and a sit-in at Times Square temporarily shut down New York, The New York Times reported.
Anti-war protesters at the New Orleans march also came out to express contempt for what they said they consider to be a very biased media.
Loyola history sophomore and anti-war protester, Anna Galle, said, “It’s hard to have an opinion because of the media consolidation. There’s so much liberal and Republican propaganda. We need more facts.”
Other students did not establish a firm view.
“I would like to know whether Iraq does or does not have weapons of mass destruction,” said Ralph Pinto, Loyola law student, “in order to make an educated decision about this war.”
