DAVID HARDEN/Arizona Daily Wildcat Cherice Clark, a biology freshman, fills up her car yesterday near campus. Gas prices have risen 40 cents in the past year.

Students, Tucsonans link war on Iraq with gasoline

The possibility of a war with Iraq looms over America, and the Tucson Peace Action Coalition thinks that the U.S.' motivation for the war is simple ÷ gas.

On Saturday, about 100 protesters stood in front of gas stations across Tucson holding signs that said: "No Blood for Oil."

"I think that it's obvious this war is about oil," said Luis Herrera, a 19-year-old Pima student. "The United States has not put a bunch of troops next to North Korea but they're doing it in Iraq."

The rally began at 11 a.m. when protesters met at Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd, and signed up in groups to drive to more than 30 gas stations from Oro Valley to the intersection of North Craycroft Road and East 22nd Street.

"We are not against people driving cars," said TPAC member Adam Aguilar, 21, "but we want to let people know that the main reason the government wants to go to war in Iraq is to get control of their oil."

In response to growing conflicts between Iraq and the U.S., gas prices have risen dramatically over the past year.

According to AAA Arizona, gas prices are about 40 cents more than last year.

As of Feb. 12, a gallon of unleaded self-serve gas in Arizona cost $1.53.

"Our goal is to get people to understand the connection between war and oil," said TPAC organizer Kwabena Stephan X.

"War is a business," he said, adding that weapons and drugs are top commodities in today's economy.

An Arizonans United for Peace flyer that was circulated among protesters on Saturday stated: "The U.S. has a history of waging war and supporting the overthrow of governments in countries where private ownership of natural resources has been threatened."

"I'd like to see true peace, true freedom, true equality and true democracy," Stephan said.

The anti-war movement has recently become more prevalent in Arizona, especially in the past month.

On Jan. 18 more than 2,000 people marched down East Speedway Boulevard from the UA campus to DeAnza Park at North Stone Avenue, protesting the war in the biggest demonstration in Tucson's history, according to the Tucson Police Department.

Peaceful protests in Phoenix and Flagstaff the same week also drew thousands of supporters. TPAC hopes this sort of activism continues.

"We want to raise awareness that there is a growing (anti-war) movement in Tucson," Aguilar said.

"I am worried about this war and I feel like this is one thing I can do," said Jennifer Wirth, a 30-year-old artist. "Maybe some politicians will get the message."

The Tucson Peace Center is sponsoring the Tucson Peace Fair and Music Festival at Reid Park Saturday.

For information about other upcoming activist events visit the Arizonans United for Peace website at www.azup.org.