For those who live in Eugene, the Wayne Morse Plaza is a familiar sight. Each weekend during the Saturday Market, people gather and the area serves as an open forum for free speech and expression.
On Sept. 22, people arrived for more intentional purposes. At 3 p.m., a crowd congregated at the plaza to rally against America’s potential military retaliation to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11. Organized by the Justice Not War Coalition, the protest began with a march toward the federal building, where people gathered peacefully, listening to speakers and music.
As the entourage walked, people held up signs reading “Let us mourn, not murder more,” and “Please don’t let the media control your thoughts.” One sign invoked U.S. foreign policy, reading “The CIA trained Bin Laden?” Another person simply held up a flag of a skull and crossbones.
While these messages are broad, they represent many views just beginning to be heard. Polls in mainstream media outlets such as CNN, USA Today and The Associated Press largely suggest that Americans support military action against Osama bin Laden and other terrorists.
Lou Enge, a member of the Eugene Friends Meeting and speaker at the event, clarified the rally’s intentions, saying that it was a call for people who believe in a common sense, measured response.
“We don’t want an all-out retaliation, and we don’t want war,” she said.
The concerns of the protest also extend to the racial conflicts that have resulted from the tragedy, especially the backlash against the Muslim community.
“We must stand in solidarity with people of Middle Eastern descent in the community,” Enge said. “We’re encouraging people to express these views.”
Dr. Stan Taylor, a political science instructor at Lane Community College, spoke to the crowd about the attack’s effect on America. He talked in depth about its political implications, in the context of both the anti-globalization movement and suppression of civil liberties. When asked about President Bush’s Mobilization Against Terrorism Act, he said, “These are anti-democratic moves being used under the rhetoric of democracy.”
Hope Marston, a local volunteer for the peace movement, likened present-day events to those of the Vietnam War. She said her concern stems from the view that America may again be involving itself in a war with no clear intentions.
“We’re going to end up killing a lot of people who don’t deserve to die,” she said.
Marston remains committed to a peaceful resolution and said she hopes that such a view won’t cast her as an enemy in the eyes of other war-oriented Americans.
“We’re all trying to do the right thing, so how can I make you see that I’m not the enemy?” she said.
While recognizing the tragedy of recent events, Enge sees a silver lining in people’s efforts to promote peace. She said that since the terrorist attacks, vigils have been held at 5 p.m. each night at the Federal Building, and, on average, about 70 people have been showing up.
“This is going to revitalize the peace movement,” she said.