2008 Woodie Awards
Protesters to walk out against war Wed.
Melissa Heyboer
Issue date: 4/9/07 Section: News
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A recently organized student group is encouraging students to walk out of their classes in protest of the war in Iraq at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
After the students walk out of their classes, there will be a protest in front of the Student Union where Eric Eingold, one of the organizers of the event, said he will try to remind students how much power they have in the political system.
"Just look at how huge of a role students have played in the past," he said. "Students played just as big of a part in ending the Vietnam War as Congress did."
Eingold said the organizing group, Walk Out Now, or W.O.N., Coalition, was formed about three weeks ago, after being inspired by a similar walkout held at the University of Florida on March 20.
"We've heard that 400 or 500, maybe even 600 students, walked out that day," Eingold said, adding that around 100 to 150 students are already involved in W.O.N. "We're trying to pick up on that momentum and show students that passive opposition to the war isn't good enough anymore."
Edgar Robinson, a political science and history double major and vice chairman of the UCF College Republicans, says that he is against not only the anti-war message of the event, but the method of protest as well. "Go ahead, walk out of your class," he said. "What is that going to do? It'll just hurt your grade."
Carmen Hill, a freshman liberal studies major, said that she won't be participating in the walkout, but not because of her stance on the Iraq war.
"I understand where they are coming from, but what will it do other than upset professors," she said. "I've been against the war for a while, and I'd definitely participate in an event or even make a donation to the cause, but education is a wee bit more important than this walkout."
Recognizing this issue, Eingold said that any participation in the walkout or ensuing protest would be appreciated. "We don't want anyone to get in trouble, especially with finals coming up. Even if you can only come for two minutes, or two seconds, just do whatever you can."
After the students walk out of their classes, there will be a protest in front of the Student Union where Eric Eingold, one of the organizers of the event, said he will try to remind students how much power they have in the political system.
"Just look at how huge of a role students have played in the past," he said. "Students played just as big of a part in ending the Vietnam War as Congress did."
Eingold said the organizing group, Walk Out Now, or W.O.N., Coalition, was formed about three weeks ago, after being inspired by a similar walkout held at the University of Florida on March 20.
"We've heard that 400 or 500, maybe even 600 students, walked out that day," Eingold said, adding that around 100 to 150 students are already involved in W.O.N. "We're trying to pick up on that momentum and show students that passive opposition to the war isn't good enough anymore."
Edgar Robinson, a political science and history double major and vice chairman of the UCF College Republicans, says that he is against not only the anti-war message of the event, but the method of protest as well. "Go ahead, walk out of your class," he said. "What is that going to do? It'll just hurt your grade."
Carmen Hill, a freshman liberal studies major, said that she won't be participating in the walkout, but not because of her stance on the Iraq war.
"I understand where they are coming from, but what will it do other than upset professors," she said. "I've been against the war for a while, and I'd definitely participate in an event or even make a donation to the cause, but education is a wee bit more important than this walkout."
Recognizing this issue, Eingold said that any participation in the walkout or ensuing protest would be appreciated. "We don't want anyone to get in trouble, especially with finals coming up. Even if you can only come for two minutes, or two seconds, just do whatever you can."