By: Elizabeth Chesnut

WAND supporters everywhere are integral members of a vast grassroots effort to stop the Bush administration’s drive for a military strike on Iraq. Since the “axis of evil”

State of the Union address last January, Bush first eschewed the need for a congressional vote authorizing the use of force on Iraq, but later conceded to that vote. Although the outcome was disappointing for activists, your calls, faxes, and emails to members of Congress produced more “no” votes than the administration expected.

In August, activists from around the country joined in an effort initiated by MoveOn.org to meet with members of Congress in their district offices to express concern over the administration’s war plans. After meetings in Georgia, The Washington Post ran an oped by Senator Zell Miller (D-GA) asking tough questions of the administration on his constituents’ behalf.

Following large protests in Washington, D.C. and California and vigorous rallies in other states, the president conceded that disarmament is the international goal, while the U.N. worked toward a Security Council resolution authorizing tough new weapons inspections. The U.S. worked out a compromise to obtain the votes of France, Russia, and China, who steadfastly argued that two resolutions were necessary: one authorizing inspections and a second authorizing “consequences,” should inspections be thwarted.

The one resolution that passed calls for those “serious consequences” should the administration not be convinced that inspections are sufficiently aggressive or open.

The administration has been highly critical of the inspections process and has not altered its insistence that Iraq is successfully hiding its weapons. It is likely that even if inspections go well, other factors could lead to war. The wording of the approved resolution provides that one small infraction or mistake is enough to trigger the undoubtedly military “consequences,” that the resolution supports.

However, polls do not support Bush’s assertion that “America speaks with one voice” on this issue. Campuses have seen a revival of antiwar organizing, and people who have never attended a political rally are showing up for anti-war demonstrations across the country. Letters-to-the- editor against the war have outpaced those for the war by a 3:1 margin. Phone calls to congressional offices have been 10:1 against the war.

We should all take a step back and congratulate ourselves for how far we’ve come. But we still have much to do. WAND is working to bring supporters the latest information on useful actions as we learn more about the administration’s strategy. Thanks to everyone who is helping turn the tide against war.

by Cicley Gay

Not since the Vietnam era has the United States seen such a rise in student activism as the one in which STAND members and their peers are now engaging. Contrary to reports that young people are not involved in the anti-war movement, student groups across the country are gaining momentum as they protest war against Iraq.

The Bush administration is headed for war with Iraq—despite the growing unease of the American public, a lack of UN support, and most astonishingly, no clear reason. STAND believes it is time for students to speak out and have their voices heard on this issue.

STAND is part of a coalition of organizations that coordinated a national day of action this fall. On October 7, the first anniversary of the military campaign in Afghanistan, students around the country held peace rallies and media events. STAND partnered with several other national groups—including Student Peace Action Network, Global Exchange, Fourth Freedom Forum, and Institute for Policy Studies—to make this day a success.

STAND members across the U.S. orchestrated events in their communities. Alix Jerinic, a student at Mills College in California, collaborated with the activist group Organizing Mills in planning a campus gathering at which students and faculty spoke, provided information, and collected signatures. At Goshen College in Indiana, Emily Miller was instrumental in planning a teach-in for students and community members. University of Texas STAND members helped plan a banner drop on campus.

October 7 was only the beginning. In Atlanta, STAND members have formed a committee to continue to work on local events to educate the public about the negative consequences of war. Nationwide, Students Take Action for New Directions is doing just that: taking action to ensure that our voices are heard.