Issue date: 10/25/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Jessica Bright Maira Villegas, left, and Maggie Hawkins-Villegas, right, listen at the rally. Maira's brother is pictured in the poster. [Click to enlarge]

Crowds gathered in Serna Plaza today to listen to speakers, musicians and various political groups. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Jessica Bright Signs and banners adorned the grassy plaza behind the University Union today. [Click to enlarge]

A peace rally protesting the U.S. invasion of Iraq was held by Sacramento State's Campus Progressive Alliance and M.E.C.H.A. today in Serna Plaza.

Mary Riordan, one of the organizers of the rally, hoped the rally had a positive effect on those who attended.

"I hope it helps get rid of the apathy on campus, and inspires people to want to pay more attention and want to be involved," Riordan said. "I hope it sends a message of inspiration, that you can do something."

Shortly after noon, students marched toward the rally after leaving the die-in, a form of protest where participants pretended they were dead, that was held in the grass area in front of the Library.

Senior history major Jason Berwick was one of many students who participated in the event.

"I'm here because the peace movement isn't as strong as it should be, and I wanted to contribute," Berwick said.

Many Sac State professors also took part in the rally by speaking against the war and current political figures.

Assistant history professor Joseph Palermo discussed the political discourse that is taking place in today's society. Government professor Jeff Lustig talked about the amount of casualties the war caused for both American and Iraqi people. Both professors were against the large number of innocent people affected by the war.

Informational booths surrounded Serna Plaza, providing pamphlets and selling anti-war stickers and shirts.

Military Families Speak Out, Zapatista Coalition and The Peace and Freedom Party, were only a few of the groups in attendance.

Robert Copsey, junior sociology major and Iraq war veteran, said he enjoyed the peace rally.

"If a rally like this gets one person to get a political conscience…it's great," he said.

Jose Martinez can be reached at jmartinez@statehornet.com.

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