As most people went about their normal routine of errands and chores last weekend, Marcia Brink had much bigger plans in mind: peace.

Brink helped coordinate a statewide peace planning Meeting that took place Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 1015 Hyland Ave.

Although the official war in Iraq is over, Brink said there are many underlying issues left to be resolved and changes that still need to be made in the Middle East. Peace planners are now trying to adapt to the post-war situation and generate humanitarian plans in the Middle East.

One of the group’s most exciting announcements was a plan for a statewide walk and humanitarian activity, Brink said. Details aren’t firm yet, but Brink said they hope the walk will provide a big step in recruiting people who are interested in the peace movement.

Brink said forty people were expected to attend the peace meeting, but an “unprecedented” 75 people showed up. The attendees were from all over Iowa, from Burlington to Sioux Falls, she said.

“[The turnout] was better than we ever expected,” Brink said.

Ramsey Tesdell, member of Time For Peace said the event “was truly a statewide peace meeting.”

“Nearly all peace groups from Iowa were represented,” said Tesdell, sophomore in technical communication.

In the morning, David Loebsack, politics professor at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, informed the group of current situations in the Middle East and noted steps that can be taken in the United States to help establish peace.

Beginning the afternoon, Katy Hansen, director of the Iowa United Nations Association, gave a report on the status of the United Nations. Ben Stone, executive director of the Iowa Civil Liberties Union, followed Hansen discussing the threats to civil liberties and democracy, Brink said.

An overview of possible strategies for peace, proposed by statewide groups at earlier meetings, was then discussed, followed by small group sessions held to plan and discuss the propositions further.

The groups discussed eight specific actions, said Brink, ranging from working with existing congressmen to “preventative peace.” Peace groups are also working on making personal ties with citizens of countries like Iran and Syria, “so that they aren’t such an abstract idea,” Brink explained.

Other advances in a state peace plan included suggestions for improving statewide communications and deciding on a statement of principles. The statement is one all peace groups across Iowa can incorporate into their plans of action, Brink said.

Leaders also voted to support a philosophy on national security. The philosophy integrates “Smart Security,” an alternative solution to the current administration’s strategy.

The meeting was intended for leaders and representatives of Iowan peace-related groups. Brink said students who want to get involved are urged to look into student organizations on campus, such as Time For Peace.

The next statewide meeting will be held on Sept. 27 in Cedar Rapids. Brink said the meeting will be held largely to help train and educate recent additions to the group.

Although the gatherings are a just small step in the right direction, Brink said she is convinced that this is only the beginning.

“The peace movement is still very invigorated,” she said. “[Peace is] a long-term effort. Although the official war is over, there’s still a lot of work to do.”