RIT student returns from Baghdad with a call to action

RIT student Khury Peterson-Smith visited Baghdad over winter break. Now he is back to share with audiences some disturbing observations. "Let Iraqis run their own country," was the theme of his well-attended lecture on Jan. 28 at RIT. <BR> Khury, pronounced ka-REE, emphasis being on the second syllable, is a 21-year old veteran of political activism. Outspoken against the war last winter Khury has made numerous speeches at anti-war rallies and other political events. <BR> Tonight he told of the devastating socioeconomic and ideological toll the war/occupation has taken on average Iraqis. <BR> "You hear of soldiers pointing guns at children, soldiers flipping the middle finger at crowds of Iraqi villagers who had assembled roadside to witness the parade of American tanks through their town. The students tell us about the cocky US soldiers sauntering through Baghdad University campus, with machine guns cocked to intimidating affect." <BR> <a href="http://rochester.indymedia.org/news/2004/02/1864.php">Entire Feature</a> <BR> <a href="http://rochester.indymedia.org/news/2004/02/1806.php">Audio of Khury's Speech at RIT and interview with Traprock Peace Ctr</a> <!--break--> <img src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/feature-2310.jpg" align="right">

<p>RIT student Khury Peterson-Smith visited Baghdad over winter break. Now he is back to share with audiences some disturbing observations. "Let Iraqis run their own country," was the theme of his well-attended lecture on Jan. 28 at RIT. <br /><br /> Khury, pronounced ka-REE, emphasis being on the second syllable, is a 21-year old veteran of political activism. Outspoken against the war last winter Khury has made numerous speeches at anti-war rallies and other political events. <br /><br /> Tonight he told of the devastating socioeconomic and ideological toll the war/occupation has taken on average Iraqis. <br /><br /> "You hear of soldiers pointing guns at children, soldiers flipping the middle finger at crowds of Iraqi villagers who had assembled roadside to witness the parade of American tanks through their town. The students tell us about the cocky US soldiers sauntering through Baghdad University campus, with machine guns cocked to intimidating affect." <br /><br /> <a href="http://rochester.indymedia.org/news/2004/02/1864.php">Entire Feature</a><br /> <br /><br /> <a href="http://rochester.indymedia.org/news/2004/02/1806.php">Audio of Khury's Speech at RIT and interview with Traprock Peace Ctr</a></p> <!--break--><p><img src="http://rochester.indymedia.org/sites/default/files/migrate_dada/feature-2310.jpg" align="right" /></p>