University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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TO THE POINT Demonstrations, both for and against the military action in the Persian Gulf, were a daily sight on campus. On Jan. 19, about 500 people on both sides of the issue gathered at the Federal Building. DEMONSTRATORS GOT DAILY VIGIL. Members of Students Against Gulf Engagement, armed with signs, stood in front of the Union fountain during the lunch hour each day during Operation Desert Storm. (D. ALLEN PHOTO) T HERE are at least two sides to every issue, and the war in the Middle East was no excep¬ tion. Demonstrators expressing both favorable and unfavor¬ able opinions about U.S. involvement in the Gulf were seen daily on the Union mall. Capt. Bradly Bruns, of the Department of Public Safety, said groups supporting U.S. policy were not seen at the University during the Vietnam era like they are today. “This is something new,” Bruns said. “We have not seen this side [of the demon¬ strations] before.” Debbie Vadar, who showed her support for the president’s decision by marching in front of the Union on Jan. 21, said she did not like the war but believed something had to be done about Saddam Hussein’s actions in the Middle East. “Nobody wants a war,” Vadar said. “But we can’t just let big bully countries take over smaller countries.” Students Against Gulf Engagement (S.A.G.E.) led a counter-demonstration protesting the president’s decision to go to war, but the group also expressed support for the troops. “Some people seem to perceive we’re against the troops,” Ed Qubain, a S.A.G.E. member, said. “We’re against the policy. I want the troops to come home. I think that senti¬ ment is pro-troops.” Eveiy day at noon Qubain and other anti-war protesters stood in front of the Union fountain holding signs. And, every day their numbers grew. “I will be here eveiy day until the war is over or someone changes my mind,” said Art Hobson, professor of physics and faculty adviser to S.A.G.E. “We stand in a line because it’s dignified,” Hobson said, adding that the protesters standing a few feet apart, facing the public, put across a more serious message. At the Jan. 21 rally in front of the Union, about 50 policy supporters dominated the area with speakers and American flags, while about 10 people demonstrated against the president s policy. Steve Zega, a first-year law student, and sophomore Kevin Bonner observed the rallies but did not participate. Zega said he did not agree with the reasons the United States was in the gulf since they were economic — but since the United States was already committed, he would support the troops and criticize the war after it was over. The same controversy that was growing on campus was apparent at Fayetteville’s town square on Jan. 19 when more that 500 policy support¬ ers and anti-war demonstra¬ tors gathered in front of the Federal Building. About half of the crowd disagreed with the war. Protestors carried a mock coffin with a flag draped over it and a stretcher that con¬ tained a body bag as they marched silently down Dickson Street. War supporters greeted the anti-war demonstrators with placards and slogans like “Free Kuwait” and “My sons are fighting for your right to protest.” Although the groups had conflicting opinions, both sides said that they sup¬ ported the troops and wanted them home soon. 22 Gulf War Demonstrations

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Now that military action has taken place in the Persian Gulf, what are your thoughts an the war? I ni glad we didn’t wait. We should continue striking and listen to see if Saddam has anything to say, lout I think we need to keep attacking.” ■ JASON MEHARG, senior Tm really scared. I have a lot of friends over there. I just hope things aie resolved soon because we want t Tem to he home as fast as possible.” ■ RAMONA DALTON, senior h would have been great to avoid ar ’ now we have to stick with it. f te time for protesting is gone if we want to be successful in this mission at all.” ■ PHILLIP STEINMAN, sophomore I ieel kind oi relieved. It went a lot cttu than I thought. I hope Iraq will go ahead and withdraw.” ■ KIM DANIEL, senior We did what we had to do. I don’t think we had much of a choice. Do ou kill a viper when he’s little or wait u ntil he’s big?” ■ STEVE JACKSON, law student Well, being an active reservist, it is , lnc sc ary. Right now I am on four- i°ui standby. I thi nk it’s good that we bo mbed the hell out of them.” ■ MIKE WITHRO, junior 1 think it will be over soon. I’m glad of rfh but 1 think the whole thing is n tculous to begin with.” BETH GIBSON, graduate student Tonight’s my birthday. It’s a hell of a ay to s P e nd your birthday. If they institute the draft, I’m afraid I ' ll go.” ■ SCOTT SUTTON, senior 1 think that now that we are in, we cet to support the troops and the President» 1 I JOE THOMA, teacher a Woodland Junior Higl TROOPS GREEK SUPPORT Students had opposing opinions when it came to the discussion of war; however one thing was on everyone’s mind - “support the troops.” The Greek commu¬ nity showed its support for troops by hanging signs. Members of Tau Kappa Epsilon attach their sign to the second floor window. (S. GREEN PHOTO) Jason Meharg Joe Thoma TIE A YELLOW RIBBON Operation Desert Storm earned near unanimous sup¬ port from the Associated Stu¬ dent Government. Sen. Andy Davis’ resolution to “support the multinational force’s actions to stop aggres¬ sion and brutal takeover of Ku¬ wait” passed with only one senator opposing the bill. Davis said he drew up the proposal because it was im¬ portant to show support for the troops in the Middle East and support for the president’s policy. ASG also approved a reso¬ lution that requested a mo¬ ment of silence before men’s and women’s basketball games in honor of U.S. Troops. Sen. Brian Haggbloom said the moment of silence should be observed by everyone, re¬ gardless of differing opinions regarding the government’s foreign policy position. ASG senators, along with other students, showed sup¬ port around campus by tying yellow ribbons around trees. (K. JESTER PHOTO) Steve Jackson Ramona Dalton Kim Daniel Gulf War Opinions 21

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PEACE MARCH. War protestors march quietly toward the downtown Fayetteville square for a demonstration on Jan. 19. The 200 protestors received a police escort. (D. ALLEN PHOTO) STANDING FIRM. Standing in a line in front of the Union fountain, the number of anti-war protestors grew each day as the war progressed. (D. ALLEN PHOTO) GOD BLESS AMERICA. Sporting a yellow ribbon on her jacket with a flag and “U.S.A.” painted on her face, Angela Jones sings patriotic songs. Jones participated in the Jan. 19 rally backing President Bush’s military action in the Persian Gulf. (D. ALLEN PHOTO) Gulf War Demonstrations 23