A rally will send off two busloads of ISU students and central Iowans who are departing Friday afternoon for a 19-hour trek they hope will influence U.S. foreign policy toward Iraq.

More than 80 travelers are hoping their participation in a Washington, D.C. rally, organized by International Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (or ANSWER), will send a message to the Bush administration that there is more than one way to resolve conflict.

“It really isn’t about a ‘no war’ concept. It’s about other ways of dealing with conflicts. There are alternatives to invading and occupying,” said Omar Tesdell, a co-founder of Time For Peace and Daily columnist.

Tesdell, junior in journalism and mass communication, said he is grateful to be part of the peace movement. He said this weekend’s events, across the country and around with world, will send a message.

“Politicians of any party always are very cognizant of public opinion. Whether they agree with the message or not, they will listen,” Tesdell said.

Marcia Brink, an Ames resident who organized the buses departing from Ames, said it’s no coincidence the rallies will be held during the Martin Luther King Jr. birthday weekend.

“I think that was a very deliberate choice on the part of the ANSWER folks. They really wanted it to be a symbolic march,” said Brink, who attended a march and rally in Washington in October.

One of the buses departing from Ames filled so quickly that Brink decided to secure another. They will meet up with two more buses in Iowa City to continue to the nation’s capital.

“I’m really excited,” Brink said. “It didn’t occur to me that there would be this many people.”

Iowans will also have something to celebrate when they arrive in Washington.

Jon Meier, a senior in religious studies who began walking to Washington Dec. 23, arrived at his destination late Thursday morning. “It felt pretty good,” Meier told the Daily Thursday night.

Meier was humble about what he had accomplished.

“I don’t think it matters; I think the walk affected who it needed to affect,” he said. “I don’t think anyone really cares about it. And I don’t think they should care [about what I did] — it’s a big rally.”

Those unable to attend the rallies in Washington and San Francisco may find it easier to participate in Des Moines. Ammertte Deibert, professor of sociology who works for the Center for the Exploration and Practice of Nonviolence at Grand View College, said a march for peace will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot at Northeast 14th and Grand View Avenue (north of the library) and will continue to the Capitol. Deibert is encouraging participants to brings signs.

The Washington-bound buses will return for a peace vigil at the corner of Lincoln Way and Welch Avenue in Ames at about 5 p.m. Sunday.