It's strange to see protesters at Brigham Young University. The school isn't a place where dissent is often voiced, at least not publicly. That's why it was somewhat refreshing to see a small group of students peacefully protesting the war in Iraq at a Student Honor Association event honoring the troops Wednesday. It's good to see that some people are willing to stand up and say what they feel, especially at a place like BYU, where bucking the establishment is so frowned upon.
Many may disagree with the opinions of the protesters. That's what makes it a protest. Their actions cannot be called dishonorable, however. They weren't mocking the sacrifices of U.S. troops. They were merely saying that they don't approve of the war in which the troops are fighting.
Jonathan Kau, associate dean of students, attempted to disband the group because it was disrupting the event in which the ROTC was participating. He said the protesters didn't have the right to be there because they didn't schedule their protest or get it approved through his office.
Kau was not wrong. The group's decision to protest while the ROTC was performing was disruptive. But it was also the time when the protesters knew they would get the most attention.
It should be noted that obedience to rules and regulations is important. They help maintain order and civility, after all. And one of the policies at BYU is that all events of public expression must be approved by the Dean of Students. The protesters should have tried to get approval. At the same time though, it is rare to see approved protests of any kind at BYU, and the group may have felt like it was their best and only opportunity to voice their opinion.
The students were not imposing their dialogue on others, at least no more than SHA was. The protesters made good use of their time ? time which the university probably wouldn't have offered them if they had asked. SHA only helped them out by calling in the dean and the police, creating more of a stir than there needed to be.
One man, in a letter to the editor, writes that 'chanting to bring home troops in front of an ROTC group is making a mockery of their sacrifice and service to our country.' That is not the case. The protesters were not protesting the troops' service. They were protesting the decisions of the country's leaders, who cause the troops to give the ultimate sacrifice.
The small group of sign-bearing students should be commended for their willingness to make a difference. While they could have done a better job at following the rules, their actions harmed no one and probably made more of an impact on passers-by than did SHA's climbing wall or the ROTC's twirling rifles.
This editorial represents the opinion of The Daily Universe editorial board. Opinions expressed here are not necessarily those of BYU, its administration, or The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.