DEARBORN — Students United for Peace and Justice (SUPJ) at the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus here, held a week-long series of events called “Iraq Awareness Week” to highlight the death and destruction of the Iraq war.  “Five years ago, the United States of America began its war on Iraq without the permission of the United Nations in search for weapons of mass destruction,” said SUPJ President Rashid Baydoun. “Since then, the lives of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians and American soldiers have been lost. $500 billion later, the war is still an on-going issue which the current administration plans to put no stop to.

On Tuesday, a protest was held on campus outside the University Center during which the students marched from the UC to the center of campus to a makeshift cemetery where 148 crosses lay in commemoration of the Michigan soldiers who have died so far in the war.  A moment of silence was held for all the victims of the war.  Students shouted slogans demanding the end of the war and the safe return of American troops. “911 and Iraq, no connection, why the attack?” and “From sea to shining sea, we want Iraqis to be free,” rang through the air.  During the protest, 500 individual, long-stemmed red roses were handed out to students and staff. Each rose commmeorated 100 Iraqi children killed in the war.

Wihad al-Tawil, director of administrative affairs for SUPJ, said “The purpose of this protest is to shine the light back on this war which still exists five years later. Our goal is not only to educate and empower the campus about this war, but also to motivate students to become active and stand up against injustice.”

“We hope that we can stand united in peace in order to support our troops by demanding an end to this war,” said Baydoun.  “Our vision is to work toward the day when Americans and Iraqis are able to restore their homes, their lives and their hopes in a better future for all.”

On Wednesday, March 19 at 1 p.m., Dr. Hashim Al-Tawil gave a lecture entitled “The liquidation of Iraq: Five years later. ” He examined the impact of the war on the country, the destruction of the social and political structure. “The history of Iraq is being erased. The Iraqi identity is disappearing.” He catalogued the destruction of the art and artifacts in the country and warned of the impending disintegration of the country into three regions.

On Thursday evening, a candlelight vigil was held behind the University Center in honor of all who have died in the war.  Guest speakers included long-time social activist and attorney Saja Ra’oof performing Arabic poetry and Hasan Newash, director of the Palestine Center.  An open microphone session allowed individual speeches and musical and vocal performances.

Students United For Peace & Justice at the University of Michigan Dearborn was organized to inform students of the injustice and inhumanity that many around the world are suffering. They seek to have a strong role in representing the abused, oppressed, and helpless victims who have had their rights and freedom stripped away from them.