 "Photo: Chris VanKat")
While thousands of fans arrived at the game on Saturday, a group of 25 to 30 people, including University of Nebraska-Lincoln students and faculty members, lied on grass by Memorial Stadium in protest.
They were not protesting the University of Southern California fans or even the football game. They were protesting war.
The "die-in," held by the UNL chapter of Nebraskans for Peace, was meant to raise awareness about the casualties of the war in Iraq.
"I feel comfortable and relaxed," said Julie Plyler, a senior international studies major, as she lied on the grass.
The event was held right before the USC football game in an attempt to inform some of the 80,000 people walking toward the stadium of the group's message.
The president of Nebraskans for Peace, Ricky Hull, said he hoped the die-in would increase conversation about the war and prompt congressional communication.
"You can make a difference in what you do, you can affect people," said Hull, a senior history major. "It doesn't all have to be at the ballot box."
Participants in the protest held signs that were visible to passers-by. The signs held statements including: "3,760 U.S. soldiers killed, 700,000 Iraqis dead (10 Memorial stadiums)."
"We have the facts here on our signs," said Britt Varisco, freshman international studies major. "We need to think of these things when we think of a solution."
Holding a sign saying, "37,184 wounded U.S. soldiers," Andrew Cunningham, a senior history and German major, said he had a similar point of view.
"If you don't like it, then do something about it," he said. "You have the right to say what you want, whether for or against the war."
Hendrik Van Den Berg, an economics professor and a member of the board of directors of Nebraskans for Peace, said some people seem to go on with their daily lives, and the organization is trying to get people just to think about it.
"We are not anti-military, we are anti-U.S. policy," he said.
Van Den Berg said he feels students should seek answers from all different angles.
"I urge the students to become aware, for Pete's sake," he said. "Go out and get as much information as you can."
Some of his suggestions are for students to read several newspapers, watch news stations, look things up on the Internet and check out the new video "No End in Sight," a documentary on the Iraq war that is showing at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center, 13th and R streets.
"Don't let a war pass you by," Van Den Berg said. "Don't let the world pass you by period."
tawnyburmood@dailynebraskan.com
