It has been five years since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, and on this fifth anniversary, students and community members will march from the EMU Amphitheater to the old federal courthouse building in a movement of protest and solidarity.
Beginning at 12:30 p.m., protesters will gather at the EMU followed by a peace parade, “The Empire Has No Clothes,” at 1:30 p.m. A rally at 6th Avenue and Pearl Street will last until 4:30 p.m. when people will move to Cozmic Pizza to have “a more intimate discussion,” said Zach Basaraba, one of the event’s organizers.
A candlelight vigil will follow at the old federal courthouse at 7:30 p.m.
Basaraba said last year’s event drew close to 3,000 people, and his goal is to have 3,500 attend this year, with more students than ever before. He hopes the event will inspire students to turn out in greater numbers to vote this year.
“We’re the population of the future, right?” Basaraba said.