A handful of people protesting the Iraq war Friday outside the Military Science building were arrested for trespassing after they blocked the building’s entrances. They notified police and the media about their plans before the protest and were willingly and intentionally arrested.
We question these demonstrators’ choice of venues, however. Why did they pick the ROTC building? Perhaps because they believe students should not join our military. Perhaps because it is one of few military buildings in Eugene.
Regardless, their decision to protest there sends a subtle message that they are protesting our troops, not merely our federal government’s poor decision to invade and occupy Iraq.
Students in the program, and the soldiers who teach them, do not necessarily support the war. Moreover, they do not have the power to change U.S. policy.
We laud the protesters’ peaceful tactics, and we hope their protest draws continued attention to U.S. activity in Iraq. But let’s not vilify soldiers from our University, even unintentionally.