Determined to “Funk the War”
this past Friday at Monroe Park was
Richmond’s chapter of Students for a
Democratic Society.
Opting for a less conventional approach,
SDS members protested the Iraq
War by dancing and singing.
“When you are angry, it does not reach
people. We can celebrate what we are
doing and be optimistic,” SDS member
Hermelinda Cortes said.
Cortes said she wanted to voice how
she thinks much of the money used for
the war could be used for education.
“The goal for today is to let students
know they have a voice in the war and
make people see what is happening,” she
said. “We are taking the time out (of our
day), but thousands of people’s lives in
Iraq are interrupted every day.”
SDS used a giant boom box on a
tricycle supplied by Richmond Re-Cycles
bicycle shop to plthe protest.
“Funk the War” attendees noticed Trying 2 Survive,
a Richmond dance group of 11-to-14-year-old
girls, walking through the park and encouraged the
girls to dance. Captain of T2S Ka’Metria Allen said
they had no problem dancing at the protest.
“It is something to do to keep us off the streets,”
she said. “We enjoy dancing.”
Richmond resident Christie Burdwell also was
supportive of the protest.
“I work with Richmond Food Not Bombs and
wanted to support what SDS was doing,” Burdwell
said. “It’s nice to see new anti-war groups come
up.”
SDS member Pippa Curran said the group was not
only there to protest the war but also to encourage
student activism.
“We can accomplish a lot,” Curran said. “We are
hoping other students will see this and be propelled
to action.”
Freshman Corey Johnson said SDS has a
multiple-issue focus. The group plans to speak out
about lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender rights,
immigration and sexual assault in the fall, Johnson
said.
VCU’s SDS chapter was founded by Jacob Cunningham
and Daniel Wipert in February 2007. The
national group has 100 chapters, and there are
between 20 and 40 members at VCU.ay the music during