At 6 p.m. Thursday, protesters from near and far gathered along Grand Avenue, by the 5th Street intersection, to publicly display their refutation to the escalation in the war in Iraq. The peaceful assembly was a reaction to President Bush’s address to the nation Wednesday evening, during which he disclosed his decision to send more than 20,000 additional troops to Iraq. The movement was initiated by an organization called MoveOn, which encourages Americans to involve themselves in the political process at the civic level.

“I believe this action by the president is more to protect his own legacy rather than to serve the best interest of the American and Iraqi people,” said John Colvwine of St. Louis.

The Ames gathering was merely one of the hundreds of protests for peace to pop up around our nation today, including significant anti-war rallies in New York and California.

Jerry Peltier, a local Ames resident, was asked by MoveOn to host the event.

“From Denver, all throughout the Midwest, there are over 250 protests taking place at the same time tonight,” Peltier said, who became involved with MoveOn after his involvement in a Democratic discussion group and an e-mail inquiry from the organization.

The crowd peaked at over 100 people, many of whom were Ames locals who felt inclined to practice their democratic duties.

“I am here to be a citizen between voting sessions. I think it’s a bad policy choice and I hope change will happen. This is my attempt at making a small statement about my opinion,” said Anne Kinzel, who has lived in Ames for more than 10 years. Kinzel has been a participant with MoveOn’s political action since shortly after the organization formed in 1998.

Toddlers and elders alike held signs facing the Grand Avenue traffic as passing cars honked and looked on. Time for Peace, an ISU student organization, also withstood the weather for the sake of advocating nonviolent conflict resolutions.

With temperatures on the brink of freezing and sleet soaking the protesters and signs, the diverse demonstration persevered by huddling close, sharing stories and chanting songs.

“I grieve for all the lives that have been lost and forever changed as a result of this war,” said Jenna McCarley, co-host of the event, who has lived in Ames since 1956.

It is now estimated that as many as 150,000 Iraqi civilians have died as a result of violence since 2003, and approximately 3,000 U.S. soldiers have been killed in the war against terror.

“We are losing the young people of our country and will continue to for as long as this war goes on,” McCarley said. “We are spending so much money which seems to be going down a black hole, because Iraq looks worse now than ever before – like rubble. I don’t think America is practicing diplomacy and I just want it to end.”

Both Peltier and McCarley agree that they were thrilled with the turnout of aware aggregates. To learn more about MoveOn Political Action, visit MoveOn.org.