This post was written by Hatchet Reporter Laura Lentin
Members of Students for a Democratic Society danced through the streets of the District on Wednesday in an effort to “Funk the War.”
The purpose of the “Funk the War” protest was to demonstrate the group’s opposition to American and NATO activity in Afghanistan. This week marks eight years since the war began.
About 100 people congregated in Thomas Circle on 14th Street with two colorful wagons boasting massive speakers and a microphone, posters, and informational flyers.
Protesters wearing brightly colored outfits, including one cow costume, began their march in the afternoon, dancing down the center of some major city streets.
“We’re dancing through the streets against occupation of Afghanistan,” said Jasper Conner, an organizer for Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).
“I just want to see a better world,” Conner said of the effort.
According to their Web site, SDS “is a radical, multi-issue student and youth organization working to build power in our schools and communities.” The site also says the group is entirely student and youth-led, with over 100 active chapters across the U.S.
There is no SDS chapter on GW’s campus.
As music blasted and the crowd howled, the first stop was made in front of the Armed Forces Recruiting Station on 15th Street. The protesters stood around the doorway, chanting their message.
“No justice! No peace! U.S. out of the Middle East!” was heard on the microphone and from the voices of many students.
There was no obvious response from the Armed Forces Recruiting Station to the demonstration.
The march continued down 15th Street with more mantras, such as, “Soldiers die! Recruiters lie!” and “We support war resistance! They are our brothers, they’re our sisters!”
“I’m here to help end the war and bring our troops home,” said Peter Hawes, a student from Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg, Va.
The next stop on their path was Franklin Tower on I Street, home to Shell Oil, Chevron, United Technologies Corp., Clear Channel, and other companies.
The protesters began to push their way into the building but were stopped by Metropolitan Police officers on bicycles who followed the demonstration.
The students continued their march, scheduled to protest at other corporate buildings before heading back to Thomas Circle.
Rachel Harlich, another SDS organizer, explained why she was marching.
“As a student I think I’ve seen a lot of my peers socio-economically drafted into the war,” she said. “I don’t want to see more leave and come back with physical and psychological problems.”
