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Rally to show support for troops
By Drew Sandholm
As is evident in recent demonstrations, among other forms of activism, public opinion on U.S. military action against Iraq has been strongly voiced.
The "Books not Bombs" walkout involved over approximately 500 students on the SCSU campus. An estimated 360 high schools, colleges and universities joined SCSU in the anti-war demonstration. With over 10 SCSU student organizations in support of the current anti-war movements on the SCSU campus, the movement is considered a success by many.
With great numbers of individuals speaking out against military action and showing little support for the U.S. military, some feel overwhelmed by this seemingly dominant viewpoint.
The SCSU College Republicans, however, are working to level the playing field of public opinion.
"SCSU has been getting a lot of press lately. It's been 'anti-this' and 'anti-that,'" said first year SCSU student and College Republicans co-chair Billy Sajer. "We want to show that we (the SCSU campus) are not against everything. That there are some different viewpoints on campus besides those that get the most attention."
The over 100 members of SCSU's College Republicans believe it their goal to bring diversity of opinion to SCSU, where the anti-war ideals seem to prevail. In doing so, the College Republicans have been often criticized and branded "pro-war."
"No one is for war. No one wants that," Sajer said. "We just want to support America. We want to support freedom. We want to support our troops."
Pro-war or not, the College Republicans will be traveling to the capitol in St. Paul this Saturday for a troop support rally. Although not affiliated with the rally, they will be traveling to the capitol in support of its cause.
Titled "Liberate Iraq, Support Our Troops," the rally is a nonprofit, nonpartisan event established to show support of American troops in protecting Americans, American freedom and to support liberating the Iraqi people.
It is organized by the same man who started the increasingly visible lawn signs of the same title. Joe Repya is a retired Lt. Colonel of the U.S. Army and is responsible for the 12,000 lawn signs that have been quickly distributed nationwide. That same theme will carry into the rally Saturday.
"This event was organized for a non-political environment to show support for those volunteers to continue to serve our country, through good times and bad," Repya said.
Scheduled to kick off at noon, the rally will last until 2 p.m. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty will give the keynote address with Congressmen John Kline and Jim Ramstad also scheduled to speak.
With over 15,000 people expected to attend, the College Republicans is the only student organization planning on attending from SCSU. The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and University of Saint Thomas reportedly have between three and five student organizations planning to attend.
"Regardless of where you stand on the war issue itself, it is in (the U.S. soldiers') best interest to show our support for our troops," said SCSU sophomore and College Republicans Chair Justin Byma.
For more information on Saturday's "Liberate Iraq, Support Our Troops" rally and on the College Republicans visit the group's kiosk today, in the Atwood Memorial Center's main lobby from 12-3 p.m.
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