Campuses Plan Anti-War Seminars, Debates

A variety of anti-war seminars, debates and “die-ins” are planned today at more than 180 college campuses nationwide, and protests are expected in Japan, Canada and other countries, student organizers say.

Compared to the sit-ins at administration buildings that marked campus protests early in the war with Iraq, low-key demonstrations are planned “as a way of educating people as well as making a statement against the war,” said John Cox of the Washington-based National Student and Youth Campaign for Peace in the Middle East.

Activists say that today’s events, timed to coincide with the anniversary of the assassination of black civil-rights leader Malcolm X, will serve as an organizing tool for protests planned to take place after the start of a ground war. “This is a big step toward further actions over the next couple of months,” Cox said.

In Southern California, anti-war activists are planning to rally at UCLA, march on a military recruiting station at Occidental College and maintain a drum vigil at UC Irvine. Events also are planned at USC, Cal State Los Angeles, Cal State Northridge, Caltech and several community colleges.

Student groups in Japan, Canada, Australia, the Philippines, Sweden and Norway also are planning anti-war demonstrations today, organizers say.