Small demonstrations held at West Windsor-Plainsboro South and Montgomery high schools.
By: Gwen Runkle and Paul Sisolak
About 35 students walked out of West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South Wednesday morning and about a dozen Montgomery Township High School students protested the war in Iraq later that afternoon.
Some High Schol South students carried signs with messages such as "Diplomacy not Guns" and "No Blood for Oil"; others wore black armbands or peace signs.
The students marched out of the school and congregated on the corner of Penn Lyle and Clarksville roads to speak their minds about the war and listen to words from the Rev. Robert Moore, executive director of the Coalition for Peace Action.
"We’re just standing up for what we believe in," said Randal Kalmikoff, a sophomore. "I’m out here doing this because I am pro peace and believe there are other ways to solve conflict than with war.
"I’m not anti-American at all and have so much respect for our troops. They’re out there fighting for what they believe in and I’m going to fight for what I believe in out of respect for them," she continued.
"Many students feel like they can’t do anything about the war," added Ed Moorman, also a sophomore. "I came out because I’m tired of the apathy and the defeatist attitude so many people are carrying around. We can do something and we do matter."
The students began planning the walkout late last week and invited the Rev. Moore to speak because of his recent work at other anti-war events, said Jeff Zito, a junior.
The Rev. Moore called the war in Iraq unnecessary, unjust and illegal and applauded the students for exercising their right to free speech.
"You are not alone in your organization against this war," he said in reference to recent anti-war demonstrations by high school students in Princeton, Montgomery and Lawrence. "I am glad you all have the courage to say no to war and yes to peaceful alternatives."
One freshman disagreed.
"This war is just," said Chris Pordon. "Blood for oil I think is an oversimplification. We are fighting to free the Iraqi people. This war must be fought to rid the world of a tyrannical dictator."
All the students who participated in the walkout will be facing disciplinary action.
"We are not punishing students for their peaceful protest," said Gerri Hutner, district spokeswoman. "We support their right to free speech, but anytime a student leaves school or cuts class, they will face consequences."
Ms. Hutner said the school administration plans to review each student’s actions on a case-by-case basis. The consequences for leaving school range from detention to suspension, she said.
In Montgomery the protest the third against the war was decidedly low-key.
Protests on March 5 and 21 drew 20 to 30 students.
The 12 students who gathered Wednesday held homemade banners at the school’s entrance, relaying an anti-war message to students in school buses leaving the campus.
The student-based political group that organized the rally is also seeking recognition from school authorities. YAEWAR, or Youth Against Exploitation, War and Racism, has attempted to gain official status as an extracurricular club in the school. According to YAEWAR member Andrea Dunham, members’ efforts have been quashed by the administration.
"Very few people know about this group because they won’t let us circulate anything around school," she said, claiming the school is reluctant to endorse any controversial activity.
Andrea, a freshman, and other members plan to present a petition to Principal Anne Marie Weber today. And they plan to take the petition to a Board of Education meeting if nothing comes of the meeting with Ms. Weber. The petition has about 20 names so far, said YAEWAR founder Mark Rahman. At Wednesday’s rally, one student signed it.
"Kids in this school are against the war until the war starts," Mark said.