Colonnade

Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Campus News

     Death stared down GCSU students last Thursday when an individual dressed as the grim reaper stood outside of Arts & Sciences in protest of Marine recruitment.
     A local chapter of the U.S. Marines set up a booth near the fountain outside of A&S. Many students literally passed by the chance to get information, but a few others stopped to chat or actually sign up. Things proceeded that way for two hours.      However, this would not turn out to be a normal day at GCSU.
     Seemingly out of nowhere, the reaper (who, cooperating with The Colonnade under the condition of anonymity will be referred to as GR) appeared, and a crowd began to form.
     He said that he was spurred by “the lack of attention the booth was drawing” and that he also “found their presence there to be a shocking reminder of the thousands of people … being utterly destroyed, emotionally and physically, by a war for oil and strategic positioning in the Middle East.”
     Many students looked on, some in amusement and others in disgust, as the individual donned in the drapes of death wielded and waved his scythe as a warning to those who passed.
    An older student, himself a veteran, held the scythe in a show of solidarity with GR. Other students stood in strong opposition to the protest, throwing vulgar sentiments at GR and his cause. He caught these vicious verbal blows passively and fearlessly, continuing his protest. The marine recruiter seemed to take the events in stride.
     “I wish my buddies were here” he said.
    Some went as far as calling GR un-American, questioning his right to protest.
     While these students saw the display as a serious matter, others seemed to approach it in a light hearted fashion, laughing amongst friends and posing for pictures. One even offered a hug.
     Many students were not as open to GR’s presence, opting to view from a safe distance. They quietly discussed the protest and the war amongst themselves, choosing to remain a calming force amidst the chaos in the area.
     GR stated that he hoped that in protesting, “somebody might think about war ... this war, all wars and the carnage and death they require. Some wars may be necessary or just, but this ‘front line in the War on Terror’ is a disgrace to us all.”
     While those who saw the actual demonstration will note that there appeared to be a struggle between GR and the recruiter, GR refutes that.
     “The recruiters themselves and others that volunteer their service to our country were not the subject of the protest or of the critique,” he said. “The function of this action was to encourage thought and discussion on the nature of war, on our general complacency, and on our ability to speak up and out if we want to.”
     By the time mid afternoon classes ended, the Marines had shut down, and GR had left. Classes proceeded as normal without any further demonstration. There was no word on when the marines would return, or whether or not GR would be there to continue his protest.

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