Lansing - The collective chant of "Peace in Iraq" reverberated within the walls of a Lansing church Thursday after a group of anti-war speakers motivated the crowd.
The Greater Lansing Network Against War in Iraq met with the public at the Central United Methodist Church, 215 N. Capitol Ave., Thursday morning to promote active participation against war in Iraq.
The network will be sending delegates to Washington, D.C., from January 17-19 for a national march protesting the war.
Leaders expressed their concern with what could occur if a war begins.
Anita Buckwalter, pastor at the Lansing Church of the Brethren, said the war is contrary to the religious beliefs of many.
"Saddam Hussein is a ruthless, brutal, perhaps even evil individual," Buckwalter said. "But when we use violence to try and stop him we just become just as ruthless and brutal and evil. War is not the answer."
Lansing resident Mike Doyle spoke about the military aspects of the war.
"As a world of intelligent and capable people we can resolve conflict with more peaceful means than war," Doyle said.
The group has contingency actions prepared in the event of war. They will hold vigils in front of the Capitol if war is announced and have plans to stay for as long as necessary.
"Having the vigil in the streets of Lansing will invite arrest because of stopped traffic," the Rev. Peter Dougherty of the Catholic Diocese said. "But the vigil is legal on the sidewalk by the Capitol for those who don't support civil resistance."
Lansing resident Ann Strife came to the meeting because of her desire to get involved.
"I think we need to be honest about the weight of the conflict," she said. "And start educating people to all sides of the issue."
Ken Harrow, MSU English professor and a member of the anti-war network, started a campus group two months ago called the Faculty, Students and Staff Coalition Against War in Iraq. The group, which began with 12 students, has hundreds involved - including many other groups on campus.
Harrow said he would like MSU to be more involved - like the University of Michigan, which is holding an anti-war conference on Saturday in Ann Arbor.
"People need to come out and can't just have opinions without speaking," he said."They need to be active in order to have a political impact."
