Young people are frustrated, theyre angry. So are we.

Community residents and students discussed violent and non-violent ways to protest the war in Iraq, as well as the effectiveness of violence in war protesting in response to the vandalism of an Army Recruiting Center near the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus.

The panel discussion was held Thursday in the Union in response to recent action taken by a small group of anti-war protestors who vandalized the recruiting center on Oakland Avenue.

Twenty-one protestors were arrested for disorderly conduct on March 19 outside of the recruiting station, where three windows were broken. Additionally, there have been reports of human feces being smeared on the building, though accounts have varied.

Young people are frustrated with the situation in Iraq, theyre angry. So are we, said George Martin, national co-chairman of United for Peace and Justice. But there are many ways to reach our goal. The tool of non-violent, civil disobedience has always been a big part of political change.

The idea of fighting violence with more violence appeared to be counterproductive in the eyes of Campaign Against Violence member Rosalyn Wolfe.

We dont want to open that window of violent behavior, because it is hard to close, said Wolfe. When people are angry and frustrated, they get hurt and it turns some people off.

While generally disagreeing with the nature of the Recruitment Center protest, some of the panelists did acknowledge the impact violent protests can have on a movement.

It can get peoples attention. The next time there is a protest people will probably say, at least they didnt break any windows, said anti-war activist Frank Nowarczyk.

Panel members noted that the recruiting center action got far more media coverage than other peaceful demonstrations.

Panelists and members of the audience urged more young people to get involved and take over reform movements from elder generations. Indifference was cited as the main enemy of the anti-war movement.

A lot of people say, go talk to your congressman and hell take care of things. Ive done that but I dont agree with it. They arent going to stop the war. You are, we are, said panelist Bob Graf. Go where your heart takes you.

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