I can’t even explain what it feels like to have somebody do something as simple as honk,” said senior Casey Nielsen.

A group of protesters, ranging in ages and occupations, started gathering a few months before the war in Iraq, at that time they were the ones not wanting to go to war. Nielsen has been a regular protester, and said it helps her express herself. They stopped for a few months but they started back up in August of 2006. The protesters gather on Bridge Street in front of Taco Bell on Thursdays at 5-5:30 p.m. to hold signs and flags that support their belief that war in Iraq should be stopped. Paul Moore, counselor at Glenville-Emmons, started these protests in hope to raise awareness.

“Many people don’t like the war, but don’t know what they can do about it” Moore said.

The sign Nielsen was holding said “Say NO to war in Iraq, contact your congress people.” Moore welcomes all students to come and protest. At 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 12 in just five minutes at least seven people drove by honking supportively.

“Whenever someone honks it means they believe the same thing I do,” Nielsen said.

One of the women protesting, Mary Hinnenkamp, an English teacher at Alternate Learning Center, also firmly believes in getting out of Iraq.

“The Iraqi military was supposed to step up and take charge of their own country, and look where they are now,” Hinnenkamp said.

These protesters are not only out here when it’s nice and warm. They have been outside every Thursday, in Minnesota’s icy cold winter hoping for people to take notice.

“It was hard in the winter” Moore said. “We have had anywhere from 18, to three or four people come.”

Both Hinnenkamp and Moore have seen students go to the military because they felt they had no other option. Hinnenkamp had a former student who joined the military before the Iraq war.

“He said, ‘What a stupid war,’” Hinnenkamp said.

Three students from ALHS were participating the afternoon of April 12, juniors Liam Moore and Jake Fitzlaff and senior Cheyenne Quam. It was Quam’s second time participating.

“I don’t support the war,” Quam said. “It’s just not right.”