"I was really upset that immediately following the bombings, people were already talking about retaliation," said Michelle Oliveros-Larsen '02, who helped to plan the event. "It didn't seem like people were willing to sit and think things through before taking action, our president included."
"I knew I had to do something to try to turn people's minds towards the facts: that we didn't know who did this and that any reaction on our part that was violent could lead to a widespread conflict that this nation is not ready for, and that would take the lives of innocents," she added.
The rally was organized by Students for a Peaceful Response (SPR), a newly formed Five-College group that advocates the following principles of response: first, "expressing sympathy and support for victims and their friends and family;" second, "protecting civil liberties;" third, "opposing anti-Arab/Muslim sentiments and violence;" fourth, "searching for justice through peaceful alternatives to war;" and finally, "stimulating dialogue on the United States' foreign policy role in stopping global violence."
"There's no way to achieve justice through war," said Kate Levin '02, who also helped plan the event. "War would just breed more violence in the world-not prevent terrorism."
According Oliveros-Larsen, approximately 300 people attended the rally, although The New York Times estimated that the number was close to 500.
"We hoped to get people to really stop and think about what war would mean, for humanity and for our country," Oliveros-Larsen said. "We want America to stand behind the global precedent it has tried to set as far as due process and legal forms of dealing with violence."
The rally began with a moment of silence to remember the victims of the attack. Student speakers then discussed the importance of each of the five principles and followed the speeches with a point/counterpoint presentation disputing some common reactions to the attack.
"Our number one point was to support the victims of this attack and to find some sort of non-violent solution to ensure that there are no more victims of terrorism," said Levin.
Speakers also encouraged students to get involved with a letter-writing campaign to notify state representatives and other politicians of their desire for a non-military response to the attack. Although the organizers came with more than 300 copies of a form letter asking politicians to promote peace, they ran out of copies before the rally ended. They have, however, continued the letter-writing campaign this week in Valentine.
According to some students who attended, one of the most chilling moments was when a military plane flew overhead and the crowd grew silent as it watched.
"It was more than just a political statement," said Stacey Kennard '03. "It was about racism and about healing ... It was about our pretty basic desire to have the most peaceful response possible."
The rally concluded with a march across campus to Memorial Hill, during which the rally's planners led students in chants for peace. At the War memorial atop Memorial Hill, students joined hands to form a large circle. Organizers again requested a moment of silence, before discussing the rally and the next steps that would be taken. While student response to the event was mixed, Oliveros-Larsen said she thought the reaction was positive and that many people were able to expand the way they view the situation, even if they did not agree with everything that was said.
"Personally, I felt empowered by standing up for what I believe and for other human beings, even if they aren't my fellow countrymen," Oliveros-Larsen said. "I was really heartened by the people who came, and especially those who marched with us to the war memorial-that was an amazing experience."
Ted Hertzberg '04 disagreed. "It shows a real lack of thought to be asking for peace above all else at a time like this. The United States has just suffered the worst attack in its history. Our priority should not be restraint. Our priority should be security and justice," he said.
Oliveros-Larsen added that SPR is still meeting to keep the movement going, and that the group is planning a walk-out if the U.S. starts conflict abroad in retaliation, as well as a teach-in scheduled for tonight in the Cole Assembly Room. Additionally, she said that some members of the group will attend a Wesleyan University conference this weekend, while others are marching in D.C. or participating in solidarity rallies locally.
"The ultimate goal of everything we do is to stop our country from reacting militarily," Levin said.