On January 20th, about 200 students turned out for an antiwar speak out in front of the McHenry Library, organized by Revolution Youth, the International Socialist Organization, and the College Democrats. The bullhorn was open to all who wished to speak, and students associated with the planning organizations, as well as many others, took their turn. Included among the memorable moments was when College Democrats organizer Nathan explained, with an air of frustration, that the problem with the state of party politics in this country today is that the Republicans just ignore you, but the Democrats ignore you too, and “get you to work for them.� A UCSC student named Emily also proved to be a passionate speaker at her turn in front of the crowd. “George Bush is a puppet,� she declared, and “how do you kill a puppet? You cut its strings!� Immediately following the noon rally, many of the students who showed up for the event took part in a meeting to reestablish the antiwar movement here at UCSC.

Two years ago, with the prospect of a war on Iraq looming, students at this campus formed Standing United for Peace (SUP). SUP organized rallies and teach-ins that year, among other things, but disbanded at the end of 2003 due in part to the general sense of disempowerment associated with antiwar organizing that swept the nation after failing to prevent the war. Recognizing the need for persistent organizing against the war, the Committee to End the Occupation formed last year with a handful of students, but had trouble getting interest and involvement. But in the aftermath of George Bush’s re-election and in the face of increasing chaos in Iraq, there appears to be renewed student energy for organizing against this unjust, imperialistic war. The new organization, although as of yet nameless, has met three times already. While setting its sights on the larger goal of ending the war in Iraq and bringing the troops home, the organization has also identified three campaigns here at UCSC that fall under the umbrella of an antiwar agenda, and has split up into working groups around these campaigns. The campaigns are as follows: to get military recruiters banned from job fairs at UCSC and to help high schools in the community kick recruiters off of their campuses, to expose and put an end to weapons research that is being conducted on our campus, as well as the UC’s role in managing the nuclear weapons labs in Livermore and Los Alamos, and finally to put an end to the U.S. government’s monitoring and harassment of foreign students under the Patriot Act. Interested in getting involved? Now is a good time, as things are just getting started. The antiwar group meets on Fridays from 5-7 pm at the Baytree conference center. Hope to see you there!