Community rejects Iraqi war

Saturday marked the two-year anniversary of the United States’ invasion of Iraq. Consequently, a coalition of James Madison students, alumni and Harrisonburg residents gathered at 4 p.m. on Court Square to protest Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Accompanied by the beat of drums, the protest sought to expose the damaging effects of war on both American and Iraqi citizens, as well as labeling the emancipation of Iraq as oppression by the United States.

Following the protest was an open forum for anyone that wished to comment. Scheduled speaker and local resident Patrick Lincoln said, "War affects us for generations and supporting our troops means ending occupation." Lincoln went on to explain how he drew his inspiration from personal experience, as his father was a Vietnam veteran.

Participants expressed sentiments on what they hoped the town would gain from such an event.

Shannon Wheeler of Harrisonburg attended the event and said she wanted to offer awareness of global issues and an understanding that Iraqi citizens are dying in the war.

Peter Gelderloos of Harrisonburg, a key orchestrator of the protest, said he wanted the town to "gain the sense that there is a lot of opposition to this war. Rather than sitting back and watching TV, they should take part in empowering themselves to take charge of their community and country."