The one-year anniversary of the first U.S. attack on Afghanistan was marked by nationwide protests.

In Ames, it was no different. A protest against a pre-emptive strike in Iraq drew nearly 20 people to the steps of the Ames post office, 525 Kellogg Ave., on Monday afternoon. Protesters included members of the anti-war groups Alliance for Global Justice, Time for Peace and A Call to Action.

Veterans, Ames residents and ISU students and staff also participated. Protesters held signs and answered questions for people passing by.

“A lot of people come by and say they agree with us,” said A.M. Fink, an Ames resident.

While passing by, Pei Lin, senior in architecture, said “I don’t think any war is justified. We need peace, not war.”

Several people thanked the protesters.

“Thank you very much for doing this,” said passer-by Miriam Chiza. “I think it is a just cause. War is not right.”

Not all reactions to the protest were encouraging, however. One man who rode by on a bicycle called to a protester: “I work for a living. I don’t have time for stuff like this.”

The majority of people using or working at the post office didn’t have any reactions to the protest. The post office was still busy over the noon hour and the employees didn’t notice the group. “We’re used to it,” said employee Wendy Tjelmeland.

Some protesters said they believe the actions proposed against Iraq have unacceptable underlying causes.

“It is all about oil, elections and personal vendettas,” Fink said. Others echoed his sentiments.

Iraj Omidvar, a U.S. veteran and graduate student in English, said “I want the international problems to be solved through the framework that has been designed for that purpose. Congress needs to present a strong case for the immediacy of action. I don’t want elections to be manipulated.”

The pre-emptive strike against Iraq proposed by President Bush was another topic of discussion.

David Gradwohl, U.S. veteran and professor emeritus of anthropology, said “I find Bush’s actions at this time offensive in every sense of the word.”

Ames resident Bonnie White agreed. “I don’t support Bush’s policy on a preemptive strike. I do support all nonviolent approaches to achieving peace in the Middle East,” she said.

Another Ames resident, Jean Prestemon, said “I am absolutely opposed to a pre-emptive strike. There has to be a way to negotiate this.”