Despite the recent string of victories and a perceived incoming end to the military conflict against Iraq, protests against the war and U.S. foreign policy are still being held.
An anti-war rally was held Saturday at 1 p.m. in front of the Oktibbeha County Courthouse. The demonstration served as the fifth in a series of protests against the war, with attendance ranging widely from 30 to 150 people at each one. The rally was conducted in a relatively peaceful manner. The only sign of interruption was a chorus of girls in a passing car repeatedly shouting “U.S.A.”
Dr. Mfanya Tryman, a Mississippi State University professor and head of the Oktibbeha County Chapter of the NAACP, addressed a crowd of about 30 people. He spoke on the demonstration’s topic, “What Next?”
Dr. Hannah Britton, a Mississippi State University political science professor who attended the rally, said she thinks it is very important to continue to ask such questions and said that was one reason she attended the rally.
“The title of the speech was, ‘What’s Next?’, and I think it’s the most critical question any of us can ask,” Britton said.
The rally included a series of banners placed around the front of the courthouse with slogans including, “End the Cycle of Violence” and “1,500 Reasons for Peace.” The banners were referring to the approximate total of 1,500 casualties that have resulted from the war so far.
Dr. Evan Peacock, an anthropology professor and one of the rally’s organizers, defined the purpose of holding the rally.
“This rally is not so much an anti-war rally, as the war obviously happened and the main engagement seems to be wrapping up,” said Peacock. “One concern is the fate of democracy in our country and around the world.”
Peacock also said the rally was a way for people to openly express their views in public. He referred to the publication of several letters to the editor in Mississippi newspapers that were labeling anti-war protestors as “traitors,” “enemies,” and “a cancer” as direct attacks on democracy.
He said Saturday’s rally was a way to fight these views through open discussion: “What is needed now, more than ever, is dialogue, not labels.”
The rally addressed a series of issues regarding U.S. foreign policy decisions, the role of the public in voicing political opinions and future possible actions the United States may take in the aftermath of Operation: Iraqi Freedom.
During a speech, Tryman outlined his case against the war, saying, “War is immoral. War legally sanctions death and demonizes humanity that is considered the enemy. War is the failure of politics. We should find other means to resolve our differences through international law and international institutions.”
Tryman referenced to U.S. foreign policy initiatives that supported dictators and terrorists such as the Shah of Iran, Osama bin Laden, and Saddam Hussein. Tryman said these actions helped lead to some of the instability in the Middle East and the rest of the world.
Tryman and some members of the audience criticized foreign policy decisions made by which the United States has given military and economic support to countries and leaders that have developed into perceived threats to the United States. These countries include Iraq and Iran. Tryman then spoke on how many of these past decisions could eventually lead to more wars in the future.
“Are we talking now about America being the new empire,” asked Tryman. “Does being the most powerful country give us the right to invade any country we want?”
Speaking on the relevance of protesting against the war when many view the war as almost over, Tryman responded, “That does not mean that we will not be emboldened to step into Syria, Iran or even Saudi Arabia in an attempt to reorder the Middle East. Just because the conventional war may be almost over does not mean that there will not be guerrilla warfare against us in the weeks, months or even years to come.”
Other topics addressed at the rally include the war’s effect on the U.S. economy, increasing attacks on civil rights in the United States, future possible effects on the mentality of the troops exposed to violence from combat and combating the current state of anarchy in Iraq.
“Are we really the glue that can establish and maintain stability in the Middle East,” Tryman asked. “Are we really liberators or invaders? These will be important questions to be answered in the coming months.”
Rally attendee Davis Mounger said he felt Tryman made some valid points.
“He [Tryman] did his homework,” said Mounger. “I appreciated the fact that he brought up examples of the Shah of Iran and other dictators we have supported over the years and the hypocritical foreign policies crafted by our nation’s leaders. It’s time for us to take a more active role in crafting foreign policy and cleaning up government leaders that create these messes.”
Tryman said that while he still supported American soldiers, he could still be against the war and pray for the safety of the U.S. and British troops’ safe return as well. He also said he desired prayer for all of the Iraqis that have lost their lives, and the thousands of civilians that have been killed as a result of the war.
“Just because one person speaks out against the war doesn’t mean a person is not in support of our troops,” explained Tryman.