Successful student walkouts across the country

USA anti war protests: Successful student walkouts across the countryNovember
2 reports from Seattle, Twin Cities, Tacoma, Boston

(Pictures selected at random from
sources credited in this article)

On November 2nd thousands of students from across the country walked
out of class and onto the streets to protest Bush’s war in Iraq and
military recruitment in their schools.

In August the call went out from Youth Against War and Racism
chapters across the country to mobilize for student walkouts and
protests on November 2nd. We wanted to mark the anniversary of Bush’s
reelection with protests demanding an immediate end to the war in Iraq,
an end to military recruitment in our schools, and money for education
and jobs, not war.

Last summer YAWR existed in just a few schools in four cities –
Seattle, Tacoma, Boston, and the Twin Cities. But students and anti-war
groups in at least a dozen cities and six states answered YAWR’s call to
action on November 2nd.

Reports from across the country indicate extremely lively and
inspired protests of mainly high school students, many of whom were
participating in their first demonstration. More than ordinary anti-war
protests, the student walkouts seem to have made an especially strong
political impact, bringing new youth into action and shaking up local
schools and communities. The excellent media coverage in many areas
gives an indication of the impact YAWR has made.

Below are summarized accounts taken from the reports several areas
have sent in about their actions.

*** Twin Cities, MN ***

USA anti war protests: Successful student walkouts across the countryAt
10:30 AM on November 2nd students from over 40 area high schools, middle
schools, and colleges walked out of class. By 12:30 AM upwards of 2000
youth had gathered at the University of Minnesota for a lively and
radical rally, exceeding the expectations of the organizers (Socialist
Alternative, Anti-War Organizing League, and Youth Against War and
Racism).

High school speakers led off the demonstration, recounting the
growing crisis in public education and the need to redirect war money to
education, and demanding an end to military recruitment in their
schools. Other speakers included a representative from the U of M
clerical workers, the Coalition for Equal Access to Education, Socialist
Alternative, AWOL, and others.

A lively march followed, winding through campus, taking over streets,
and culminating in a combative rally in front of a military recruitment
station, blocking the nearby major intersection for 30 minutes of
spirited chants. Despite the lack of a permit for taking the streets,
the police stood aside the entire march.

The walkout was the top story on all TV and radio news that evening,
and was at the top of the local sections of newspapers the next day.

Media and pictures

http://www.kare11.com/player.aspx?aid=19994&bw=

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5704363.html

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/aloespejel/album?.
dir=/b24b&.src=ph&.tok=phJBA4DBk4v_2jy1

*** Seattle, WA ***

On the anniversary of Bush’s "re-election," over 1,000
students walked out from about 50 Seattle-area schools and took to the
streets to protest the Iraq war and military recruiters in our schools.
After walking out of school, wave after wave of students and young
people poured into Westlake center from across the Puget Sound.

USA anti war protests: Successful student walkouts across the countryCarrie
Hathorn kicked off the rally with an enthusiastic round of school
shout-outs — a call and response between Carrie shouting out schools
and each school roaring back. Next the Blue Scholars took the stage and
rocked the mic with political hip hop grooves. High school speakers,
spoken word, and endorsing organization representatives spoke

Our youthful energy was unstoppable as we marched from Westlake to
the Capitol Hill Arts Center (CHAC).  We filled nearly three
street blocks waving signs and chanting against military recruiters in
our schools and against Bush’ war.  Once we reached the CHAC
some students spontaneously sat down in the
street.  Fortunately, no arrests were made during the march or
at our final destination.

Our walkout got a ton of media coverage that will inspire others to
get involved in the antiwar movement and join Youth Against War and
Racism.  We made the front page of the Seattle
Post-Intelligencer and the Seattle Times local section.

Check out some pictures here:

http://www.internetking.com.mx/youth-anti-war-protest/

*** Boston, MA ***

Students from over a dozen high schools and colleges in the Boston
area walked out and joined a citywide protest against the war and
military recruitment on Boston Common.  Over 250 students
gathered on the Common to hear youth speakers, many speaking before a
crowd for their first time.  The response to the call for
walkouts was tremendous.  Over 200 students alone walked out
at Quincy High School, and 75 at the Academy of the Pacific
Rim.  Students came from the suburbs as well, and from as far
away as New Hampshire.

USA anti war protests: Successful student walkouts across the countryThe
event was really inspiring.  The crowd was almost entirely
young people. For many students it was their first or second protest
ever.  Much of the crowd was high school students, who had
heard about the walkout through our leafletting or banner tour, at
October 29th, or even some who had seen our stickers in the T and went
to the YAWR website. The rally was a really good time, with spoken word
by Optimus from the Foundation and this guy from Audible Mainframe
(which was great!).  

It was really awesome because many people felt free to come up and
speak their mind, and did an excellent job.  There was also a
really energetic march from the Common to the military recruiting
station across the street, to the State House, and back to the bandstand
on the Common.

The most urgent task now is to organize a solidarity campaign with
all those students who face disciplinary action.  There are
many students who are facing suspension.

*** Tacoma, WA ***

With Fort Lewis position next door, Tacoma is a military town without
a strong anti-war tradition in recent years. On November 2nd the first
student organized anti-war USA anti war protests: Successful student walkouts across the countryprotest
since the Vietnam era brought 100 people into the streets to protest the
Tacoma Mall military recruitment station.

A right-wing talk radio station called for a counter-demonstration
and managed to mobilize 30 pro-war groupies who came to squelch the
demonstration, but managed to do little more than wave flags and come up
with a clever chant–USA, USA, USA, USA….

The students were undaunted and replied with a chant of their own:
Support the Troops, Bring Them Home NOW!!!

Although this was a first protest for Youth Against War and Racism
(YAWR) in Tacoma, this was a spirited contingent of youth that grew in
confidence as the demo went on. More chants came forth and were
enthusiastically taken up by the protesters.

After 45 minutes, it was time to march. A contingent of students left
the pro-war Ra-Ra squad standing in the rain. Passing drivers frequently
honked in support and gave the thumbs up sign. This response accurately
reflected an American public that is mostly against the war. But it took
the youth of Tacoma to break the silence of conformity and vigorously
make this anti-war sentiment publicly visible.

The students–now "accompanied" by police–marched back to
the Mall and a new chant went out as we moved through the strip
malls–While You’re Shopping, Bombs are Dropping! Heads turned to hear
what Tacoma’s youth of today had to say. After that rebuke to America’s
complacency, the youth returned the central focus–1,2,3,4, We Don’t
Want Your Racist War!

The demo didn’t end with a defeated whimper, as do many of a tired
peace movement, but with a roar. Tacoma’s youth has found its voice.

Tacoma News Tribune story with good picture

http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/story/
5304174p-4809122c.html