In the week following spring break, Loyola students will have the opportunity to participate in Loyola University Community Action Program’s second annual Global Justice Week. The week will focus on the theme of “Global Conflicts and Peaceful Solutions.”
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the significance behind our most striking, emotionally charged and potentially controversial event: the die-in that will take placeWed, March 26. in front of the statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This event will take place to commemorate the lives that have been lost in the war in Iraq.
March 19, 2008 marks the fifth anniversary of the war. Many of us often hear that the U.S. has lost nearly 4,000 soldiers since the beginning of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This in itself is a tragic loss of life that calls us to be critical of the role that the U.S. is playing in our current war. Yet the figure of 4,000 U.S. deaths pales in comparison to the figure of Iraqi civilian deaths, which at a very conservative estimate reaches the figure of more than 81,000 casualties (estimate taken from http://www.iraqbodycount.org).
From a perspective of social justice and human dignity, even one life lost at the hands of violence is an unacceptable tragedy. For this reason, LUCAP is once again hosting a die-in to stand for peace and commemorate the loss of thousands of lives – both U.S. and Iraqi. A die-in is a demonstration of solidarity and peaceful protest in which people simulate death to bring attention to the ramifications of war and violence. This method of demonstration has precedent in Jesuit activism beyond Loyola; it is commonly used at the School of the Americas protest each year.
Last year when LUCAP hosted this event, we faced criticism for not being clear about our intentions (we were frequently questioned as to whether we were protesting the war.) This year we would like to communicate to the Loyola community that our demonstration does come from our stance against the war. But we hope that in refraining from protesting a particular political or economic agenda, our efforts will be inclusive to all people who wish to commemorate the loss of life that is so easy to ignore on a daily basis.
I would also like to inform the Loyola community about measures that will be taken to protect student demonstrators during the die-in and make the event a positive learning experience for everyone involved. First of all, the event will be video-recorded for students’ safety and campus police will be present. Secondly, some faculty members and students will be available as facilitators to engage in dialogue with those who wish to discuss the demonstration and the issues it raises. There will also be a free speech board where students can express their opinions in writing.
The solemn respect for human life transcends political lines. I invite you to participate in our commemoration of the war’s anniversary. Wear black. Participate in the die-in. Think critically. And even if you disagree with the demonstration, we ask that you please be respectful.
Jamie Broussard is an English sophomore and can be reached at [email protected].
