Protesting the use of children as soldiers in foreign countries, six members of Amnesty International ISU held a candlelight vigil to heighten awareness of the thousands of youth who are fighting in wars around the world.

About 20 candles marked off a small area in front of Curtiss Hall Thursday evening. Some members of the club stood inside the square of candles, while others stood on the steps of Curtiss to read statements about child soldiers.

“One-hundred, twenty-thousand children take part in conflicts in Africa,” said Eric Houge, vice president of the club. He said around the world, children as young as 7 are being abducted, drugged and forced to fight.

Houge, freshman in environmental science, said the U.S. Congress is currently working to pass bills concerning child soldiers in other countries. Houge also talked about the United States and its military programs.

While children can’t fight for the United States, Houge said the country recruits children under the age of 18 with parental consent.

“Currently, there are 3,000 high schools that have JROTC programs with plans for expansion,” he said.

The speakers requested a moment of silence after they finished reading their pieces.

“I would like to have a moment of silence in memory of all children who have been abducted in military conflicts all around the world,” Houge said.

Amnesty International ISU President Shanna Pitter spoke about children fighting in wars in Central and South America.

“In 1993 to 1994, 30 percent of the children killed in Colombia were killed by other child guerrillas,” said Pitter, sophomore in meteorology. She said officials in Colombia admit to having more than 15,000 minors in their ranks.

Other speakers provided statistics about the warfare in the Middle East and Asia.

The protest ended with the group asking for everyone to go home in silence and think about the words that were spoken that evening.