News of the recent tensions between the United States and Iraq have prompted a disbanded organization to reassemble for the first time since the end of the Gulf War.

The People for Peace in the Middle East (PPME) originated in 1991 to protest the bombing of the Middle East during the Gulf War. It stopped meeting when diplomacy was reached between the United States and Iraq.

But since U.S. President Bill Clinton has threatened military action once again, PPME has regrouped.

A town meeting, sponsored by ISU Model United Nations Club, Ames United Nations Association-U.S.A. and League of Women Voters, will be held tonight at 7 in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union for discussion of the crisis.

The public is invited to participate in the community meeting where three minutes will be allotted for statements, questions and comments.

Before its Feb. 14 meeting, PPME members called area peace activists to join. The group now has about 20 members from both the Ames community and Iowa State. Representing ISU are professors and students, some of whom are international students from the Middle East.

“We got together on the 14th to discuss what we might do if there was bombing,” said Starlene Rankin, facilitator of PPME.

The group held two rallies last Friday. One of the rallies took place on the steps of Beardshear Hall at noon, and the other was held at 5 p.m. in front of the Ames Post Office, 525 Kellogg Ave.

The Beardshear Hall rally drew about 150 people and many speakers. Some of the protesters carried signs with phrases such as “Bread Not Bombs” and “Don’t Bomb Iraq.”

“There were a wide variety of speakers from different groups, including someone from Iraq,” Rankin said.

She added that one purpose of the rallies was to spread awareness of the crisis and to inspire a broad following.

“The goal of the rallies was to encourage people to let their legislators know that we don’t want violence, and to look for peaceful ways to solve the conflict,” she said.

Rankin also said petitions were passed around the crowd at Beardshear.

The rally downtown was smaller, with four speakers and about 50 attendants.

“It was nice to be able to have people who can’t make it to the university at lunchtime,” Rankin said.

The Beardshear Hall rally attracted a wide range of media, including live coverage on both KCCI-TV and WOI-TV.

Rankin said having the media present was beneficial to the rally.

“We were really pleased with the coverage,” she said.

Don Gruber, one of the speakers at the noon rally, said his goal was to emphasize the importance of protecting not only American troops, but also Iraqi citizens.

“I am opposed to the intent of the government to intervene militarily in Iraq,” he said. “It’s putting our own people at risk. The bombing would probably kill 1,500 civilians in Iraq.

“It’s a terrible projection of our government to try to settle this by ourselves,” he said.

Gruber said President Clinton’s claims of international support were based on lies.

“Most countries don’t want Saddam Hussein in power, but for us to try to [stop] it is out of the realm of common sense,” he said.

Gruber suggested a U.N. summit to join representatives of Middle Eastern countries to discuss their fears, complaints and ideas.

In addition to the rallies, PPME has taken other actions against the potential bombings, such as participating in a letter-writing campaign.

Group members also are considering educational forums to give people a chance to talk about the issue.

Over the weekend, U.N. Chief Kofi Annan came to an agreement with Saddam Hussein to resume inspections of his palaces for weapons — a move that the United States supports.

“We’re glad the U.S. is going to go along with what the U.N. has set up,” Rankin said.

PPME has not met since the new developments, but Rankin said the group would have held a candlelight prayer vigil if the bombings had occurred.

“We’re happy that might be avoided,” she said.