Wars Get "Funked" in May Day Protest

Joseph Ward   News staff writer
May 4th, 2009 - 12:00 AM
May 6th, 2009 - 1:10 AM
Amnesty International, Campus, Iraq, Kelly Hayes, May Day, May Day, Middle East, Palestine, Patricia Richardson, Pete Rhomberg, Socialists Organization, Workers Day
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Friday's rainy weather broke just in time for the "Funk the Wars" protest to take place in the afternoon on the main Quad.

The event wasn't like many other student protests. Instead of traditional marching and shouting, this protest featured music, dancing and even a drum circle.

The event was planned by the Campus Antiwar Network and organized by Pete Rhomberg, junior in LAS and a member of the Campus Antiwar Network.

He said the protest was a joint effort between the Graduate Employees Organization, Amnesty International, the International Socialists Organization, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Four Walls and a Roof and the Campus Antiwar Network.

Every group had a different reason for protesting, which meant that a wide variety of wars and human rights violations were "funked" Friday afternoon — including the wars in the Middle East, the "war" on immigration, the "war" on women's rights and the prevalence of human trafficking.

The event landing on May Day is no coincidence, Rhomberg said.

May Day, also known as International Workers Day, is observed by some to remember the struggle for workers' rights.

The event paid homage to those who brought awareness to issues that the groups who protested Friday believe are injustices in the world.

"The goal was simply to get a presence out on May Day. We want to bring awareness to the cause and also celebrate their achievements," Rhomberg said.

Protestors celebrated these achievements by holding a drum circle toward the end of the event, where about 45 people danced and chanted to the beat of a makeshift drum. Shouts of "They say warfare,

we say health care" or "Border walls have got to go, from Palestine to Mexico" echoed throughout a rather empty Quad.

The event began at 5 p.m. because organizers wanted to use amplified sound, which is allowed by permit on the Quad only after that time, said Patricia Richardson, sophomore in LAS and a member of the Campus Antiwar Network.

"Today, (the permit complications) helped us out because it was raining earlier," Rhomberg said.

He said that participation was not affected.

The few people around at that time stopped to listen, but most did not stay for more than a few minutes.

"I support these kinds of events," said Kelly Hayes, freshman in LAS. "But I've heard it all before."

Despite the lack of attendance, the protestors believe it was still a success.

"Our groups have had a lot of events this April, and they have all been successful," Rhomberg said. "Awareness is being increased."

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Who pays all the costs..?

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Brittanicus    5/4/2009 - 11:52 AM

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