Today, a group of students from Saint Louis University will join in a non-violent protest in front of the offices of U.S. Congressman Russ Carnahan. They are calling for Carnahan to go on the record against President George Bush’s proposed “surge” of forces in Iraq. Below is a letter from two of these students explaining their motivation for participating in an act of civil disobedience.
“Students, in the course of their formation, must let the gritty reality of this world into their lives, so they can learn to feel it, think about it critically, respond to its suffering and engage it constructively. They should learn to perceive, think, judge, choose and act for the rights of others, especially the disadvantaged and the oppressed.
Campus ministry does much to foment such intelligent, responsible and active compassion, compassion that deserves the name solidarity.” This statement was a part of the speech given by Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., the Superior General of the Society of Jesus in 2000, in his keynote address at the Commitment to Justice in Jesuit Higher Education Conference. Several students from Saint Louis University are participating in an action of non-violent civil disobedience this Friday.
We are asking Congressman Carnahan of Missouri’s third district to give us a written or public statement that he will actively oppose the allocation of additional funding for the war. After discerning with professors, spiritual advisors and within our group, we have come to believe that the proposed escalation will only lead to more bloodshed.
Bishop Wilton Gregory quoted Pope John Paul, saying, “War is always a defeat for humanity.” This is a message our polarized world needs to hear. Waking people’s hearts to it requires sacrifice, especially in a climate of fear.
As students in a Jesuit university, we are called to take risks in hopes that others, particularly Congressman Carnahan, will also be guided by their conscience and act.
There are many ways to advocate against war; many of us have spent our time at Saint Louis University participating in vigils, marches, protests and teach-ins, learning about the affects of this and other wars across the world. The daily horrors in Iraq have grown in our minds, forcing us to think about what we, as the privileged few, must do.
Now is the time for action-always in the spirit of non-violence-and solidarity with those who are suffering in Iraq: soldiers, civilians, refugees and family members across the planet. We are working to bring our troops, our brothers and sisters, home. They are the ones who have made the great sacrifice, and we need to honor their service by formulating honest and effective policy. Sadly, our nation is now poised to send more guns and soldiers.
This is irreconcilable with Christ’s message, “blessed are the peacemakers.”
Through praxis we have seen the gritty reality of this world, and our faith demands a strong, peaceful response.
J.P. Murray
Senior, College of Arts and Sciences
Megan Heeney
Senior, College of Arts and Sciences
