Students and faculty gathered in upstairs Usdan Thursday night for the Walkout on War meeting. The speakers, Professors Andreas Teuber (PHIL), Gordon Fellman (SOC) and David Cunningham (SOC), each addressed the audience and then answered questions. The meeting, sponsored by the Radical Student Alliance and the Anti-War Coalition, was intended both to inform and provide an opportunity for participants to express their opinions. For the past several days students have stationed themselves inside the Usdan Student Center, petitioning for the proposed walkout. Sarah Karpman '06, one of the students collecting signatures, said the walkout is planned to take place the day that the United States bombs Iraq.

In addition, Jan. 29 has been designated a day of dialogue concerning war with Iraq. Workshops, meditation groups and speakers are all planned for this day, regardless of whether war is declared. Karpman said she believes "war is impending" and considers the petition and associated activities a preemptive measure.

"It's interesting to be sitting here," Karpman said, referring to the student response to the petition and the debates that often arise. The petition has generated a considerable amount of dialogue. "Dialogue is a wonderful thing, no matter what they decide," Karpman said.

She said not everyone who signed the petition intends to walk out of classes. Some simply wish to show their support or express their view against war with Iraq. Organizers of the walkout said they recognize that many students are still undecided on the issue or may not feel they want to leave their classes. For these students' benefit, the walkout was expanded to the as-yet unnamed Jan. 29 event.

The petition reads as follows: "We, the undersigned, are opposed, for our own individual reasons, to the U.S. taking military action against the nation of Iraq and hereby pledge to walk out of classes in protest on the day of classes immediately following a U.S. attack against Iraq, or should said attack occur during our semester break on Jan. 29, 2003."

As of the night of the Walkout on War meeting, more than 350 people -- over 10 percent of the undergraduate student body -- had signed the petition.

Mike Popper '05, one of the walkout's organizers, said the table in Usdan is not intended for the sole purpose of collecting signatures. Popper described their presence in Usdan as "trying to start an open and respectful dialogue." As people walk in the doors they are asked by students passing by if they are interested in opposing the war. Some keep on walking and some sign the pledge. Others confront them, asking questions, discussing or arguing their viewpoints, Popper said.

"We're trying to garner support but we're also trying to get anyone to start talking about their individual perspective," Popper said. "By being out here we make people think twice about ignoring how people feel about these issues."

Teuber began the Thursday meeting by giving an overview of Iraq's history and current political state. He then addressed and refuted President Bush's five justifications for military action in Iraq. Teuber said invading Iraq "could be the worst and most serious military event since the Second World War."

Teuber drew on Michael Walzer's '56 book "Just and Unjust Wars," as well as historical references to support his point. Describing how the entire Middle East region could be destabilized by war, Teuber outlined a scenario starkly contrasting with Bush's perceived outcome. Comparing the anticipated war to Vietnam, Teuber described a "world changing" event in which he saw "the whole region (going) up in flames."

With anecdotes from Brandeis history, Fellman spoke about student activism both past and present. From the takeover of Ford Hall by students petitioning for an African American Studies program to the National Student Strike protesting Vietnam to the anti-apartheid South African divestment campaign, Fellman said he was proud of the long history of student activism at Brandeis. Fellman said "it is a wonderful thing to be at a university where you can meet and discuss", calling the Walkout on War movement an "inspiring process."

Cunningham spoke of the responsibility of students in initiating activism. He said recent military actions have an "absence of moral voice." with the exception of patriotism. Cunningham added that college campuses provide such moral voice and are traditionally the origins for more general public movements.

When college students are not vocal "there is no chance of a movement starting," Cunningham said. Underlining the importance of organized, clear, and thoughtful perspectives on war, Cunningham identified Brandeis as an institution that other more apolitical campuses look to for the start of action. One of the intentions of the walkout, Cunningham said, is to recognize "that that fact that you're in class is contingent upon larger political realities."

Brandeis students' various questions and concerns about the anticipated war on Iraq were raised at the question and answer session that followed. Many students spoke up to comment on and inform the audience of certain issues. Human rights, the role of the United States in international politics and weapons inspections were all discussed. Options for dealing with Iraq besides warfare were touched upon, with Teuber commenting that "it is unfortunate that this (war) is the first rationale for intervention in Iraq."

For a significant portion of the Brandeis student body, the signatures prove war with Iraq is considered serious enough to provoke a walkout of classes. But, the Radical Student Alliance and the Anti-War Coalition demonstrate broader aspirations in their attempt to involve the entire campus in the day of dialogue. Popper and other organizers said they wish to reassure those students who have signed the petition that their primary intention -- protesting the war -- will not be watered down. "The integrity of the pledge won't waver," Popper said. "The message remains intact and clear and always will be.