Seton Hall Students Stand Up Against US Involvement in Syria

Seton Hall students held a demonstration with a human chain surrounding the campus green to show their opposition to the possibility of bombing Syria.

The rally was held by members of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Association led by Sophomore Raul Ausa-Velazco and Senior Wallace Weaver.

"I came up with the idea of the human chain based on my study of the Civil Rights and Anti-War Movements of the 1960s and 70s," said Ausa-Velazco. "In 1957, King said that nonviolent direct action was 'nonagressive physically, but strongly aggressive spiritually.'"

"In order to make our voices heard and to make our point, it is important for activists who utilize nonviolent methods to disturb the peace and call attention to our cause," he said.

Students shouted sayings like "SHU (Seton Hall University) Speaks, No War!" and held up signs with sayings like "bombing is not the answer" and US out of Syria."

Weaver lay down in the center of campus with a sheet over him to symbolize the high body count in Syria, he said.

"I don't think it's right to intervene," said Senior Alyssa Pack. "Bombing a country that's already faced so much violence isn't going to help the situation."

The group also held a Vigil for Peace in response to Pope Francis I’s call for a day of fasting and prayer for Syria on September 7th, the group said.