Rallies and protests allow people to speak on what they believe in. The recent concern over potential warfare in Syria stirred one ULM student enough to plan a rally and do just that.
Garrett Boyte, a junior mass communication major, and Paul Densworth, owner of a printing shop in West Monroe, arranged the rally on Aug. 30 through Facebook.
The “No War with Syria” rally took place Aug. 31 at 10 a.m. on the corner of Stubbs Ave. and North 19th St.
Boyte urged people to not be afraid to speak up about their opinions. He agrees with Martin Luther King Jr. that there comes a time when silence becomes betrayal.
“Silence is consent. You can’t let immoral acts happen and not speak out against it,” Boyte said.
Kevin Carrol, a junior agribusiness major, decided to participate because of his support for the troops and military.
“I don’t support our government charging into a useless war,” Carrol said.
The rally was held in front of Congressman Rodney Alexander’s office. Alexander represents the Monroe district in Washington, D.C.
Rally participants held up handmade signs and voiced their disagreement with USA’s involvement in Syria. Signs read “War is so 19th century,” “It was wrong when Bush did it; it’s wrong now” and “The only Warhawks I support play football.”
For many of the participants, this was their first time demonstrating in such manner. They said it was time to get involved and let their voices be heard.
Tech consultant Spencer Carter dressed as a “hippie” in attempt to relive his high school and college protesting days. Carter said “we should make love and not war.”
Drivers honked their horns and gave signs of approval as they passed by. But not everyone agreed with the messages on the signs.
One driver stopped to voice his opinion to the rally participants. When citizens stop to oppose the participants, Boyte told them to “have a good day.”
According to Boyte, another rally is in the works.
