It has been four years since President George W. Bush, through the United States Congress and Armed Forces, led the multinational air strike over Baghdad. With more than 3,000 American soldiers dead and the recent request for 30,000 additional troops, the war heads into its fifth year and arouses vigils across the country to commemorate lives lost and focus on future action.

March 20 marks the anniversary of the initiation of the Iraq War and is bringing local citizens together in protest.

The fourth annual Ames Peace Rally will be held at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday. Participants will meet at the Lincoln Center parking lot, at the intersection of Lincoln Way and Grand Avenue, to congregate, organize picket signs and enjoy warm soup and cider before marching to the Ames City Auditorium. The event is a combined coalition of local organizations including Alliance for Global Justice, Time for Peace, Iowans for Sensible Priorities, MoveOn.org, Iowa Citizen Action Network and the Ames Progressive.

Gregory Bonett, senior in electrical engineering and president of Time for Peace, said he believes the situation in Iraq is becoming increasingly devastating and urges students and citizens to engage in activism and awareness.

“Things have been consistently worse in terms of U.S. deaths, Iraqi deaths and cost. Because there has been a shake-up in political power, I think people have a feeling of better representation,” Bonett said. “Democracy only works if people are engaged – it requires a healthy amount of discourse. We have to assemble to promote discussions and to give the average citizen a little more say in our government and what they do.”

ISU alumnus couple Carlie Tartakov, professor emeritus in curriculum and instruction, and Gary Tartakov, retired professor emeritus in art and design and adviser for Alliance for Global Justice, have contributed substantially in the preparation for the rally, which Carlie considers to be a soapbox for public opinion.

“It helps us to clarify our own positions and recognize creative ways for change. [The rally] provides a platform for letting people know what we think – to support our troops by bringing them home, out of harms way,” Carlie said. “We need to continue to tell the public about the cost of this war in resources and lives.”

Gary has been involved with the Ames Peace Rally efforts for three years, and emphasized the rally supports the troops’ lives and safe return before the political agendas.

“We want to make Ames a center for peace. We are against the war because of the lives lost – American lives and over half a million of the Iraqi lives lost. It is a terrible thing going on,” Gary said.

The event has been moved partially indoors for the comfort of its participators, something new in comparison to previous years’ rallies.

“The more people who come out and speak out, the more influence we will have,” Carlie said.

Katherine Lundberg, junior in English and treasurer for Time for Peace, is excited for the event.

“The rally is going to be really awesome this year,” Lundberg said. “We are trying to revitalize the group, so it is going to be really fun.”

Activists will receive free refreshments while making a bid for change.

“There is going to be a public meeting [following the march] at 6:15 at the city auditorium with speakers, live music and free Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream,” said Julia Olmstead, graduate student in agronomy and president of Alliance for Global Justice.

Matthew Denner, senior in political science and member of Iowa Citizen Action Network, said the event is not going to be comprised of the traditional pro-peace citizens, and has received more positive response and public interest in its campaigning.

“I think every citizen has an interest in this war. We elected officials who have not represented our best interest,” Denner said. “The war affects the perception of the United States abroad.”

ICAN will have a table display at the city auditorium with postcards to be signed and sent to Congressman Tom Latham, R-Iowa, to voice citizen concerns and discontent. Denner said 40 carnations will be delivered to Latham’s office representing the number of Iowans killed in Iraq.

Preparations have been underway for months, and the event will provide a forum for discussion and participation.

“Students should come to be part of the conversation the whole country is having about our situation in Iraq,” Bonett said. “If we don’t have a reflective discussion about what is happening and why we are there, our nation is susceptible to having this happen again in Iran.”