As President Bush leads the US and its allies into a war on terrorism and vows military retaliation, students across the country are reclaiming their historical role as advocates for peace. In a minute, we will hear from students around the country about their organizing and the emerging student anti-war movement.

But first, we go to Sunita Mehta, who is a member of SAKHI for South Asian Women. She is one of the organizers of aMuslim peace vigil in New York tonight. Last night, the police revoked the permit for the vigil.

Guests:

• Sunita Mehta, member of Women for Afghan Women and SAKHI for South Asian Women.

Students at almost 150 college campuses in 30 states rallied for peace yesterday afternoon. The vigils that variedwidely in size and scope, but all focused on the need for a cautious, and long-term solution to the terrorist attacksthat will result in safety for all people, including Arab and Muslim communities.

Over eight thousand students and community members came out to demonstrate on the University of California’s Berkeleycampus yesterday. The day climaxed with a sit-in, protesting a racist cartoon against Arab and Muslim-Americans thatran in a local Berkeley paper. Nineteen people were arrested.

At the conservative University of Kansas, students raised $25,000 in 48 hours for relief for the families and victimsof the September 11th tragedy before holding two rallies, one on campus and one in the town square in Lawrence. TheUniversity of Arkansas in Fayetteville had a teach-in for 600 people to learn more about Afghanistan.

Guests:

• Andy Burns, Organizer, Movement for Democracy and Education.
• Christopher Day, Hunter College.
• Kalyn Morris, University of Oklahoma.
• Aaron Krieger, Notre Dame.
• Sarah Hoskinson, Kansas University.
• Tom Graham, University of New Mexico.
• Jessica Gould, Harvard University.

Related link:

• Peaceful Justice: Concerned Students for JusticeWithout War