Students lobby for ‘books not bombs’

>Archive - PWW Print Edition Archive - 2003 Editions - May 3, 2003


 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Youth and Student Peace Coalition (NYSPC) announced on April 24 a campaign on voter registration, education and action to mobilize the youth vote. Student activists across the country will deliver pledge cards to elected officials on May 6, declaring their intent to vote for “Books Not Bombs” in the 2004 election.

“Student activists around the country are beginning to organize themselves into a progressive voting block,” said Amanda Flott, University of Kansas student and NYSPC coalition member. “May 6th is the first in a series of actions that will hold politicians accountable for choosing militarism over funding education.”

On March 5, thousands of students from nearly 500 schools participated in the “Books Not Bombs!” strike to tell administrators and politicians that they supported the funding of education over militarism and endless war. Organized by the National Youth and Student Peace Coalition (NYSPC), it was the most widespread day of student action since the Vietnam War.

“Despite the opposition of millions of people around the world, the Bush Administration launched an illegal war against Iraq,” said Samantha Howell of Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. “The prolonged occupation will cost billions of dollars, paid for by cuts to social programs. In fact, one day of war (about $1.1 billion) is enough money to prevent cuts in educational funding for the entire fiscal year of 2003.”

On May 6, student activists will demand elected officials use their power to bring the United Nations back into the process and ensure freedom and self-determination for the people of Iraq. They will also be protesting against the newly-formed doctrine of preventative warfare, demanding that politicians focus on the student and youth agenda, which includes funding education, health care, job training and rebuilding communities across the country.

The National Youth and Student Peace Coalition is a youth-led organization of nearly 20 national student groups based in the United States. Formed in October of 2001, they seek to empower young people to resist the policies of perpetual warfare as well as challenge the wisdom of investing in militarism over education and basic human need. For more information on the coalition, as well as a listing of past activities, please visit www.nyspc.net.