Several AU students distributed cupcakes and bottles meant to represent blood and oil as refreshments at a satirical birthday party Monday to mark the fifth anniversary of the start of the Iraq War.
The birthday party was the beginning of a week of events relating to the Iraq War anniversary, according to Rachel Hitow, a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences. The Iraq War began March 19, 2003.
Several students were wearing masks resembling President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and 2008 presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain. Other students were wearing party hats and handing out invitations to the party.
Participants took turns in being the "birthday boy," who told passers by it was his birthday in a childlike voice and handed out invitations to his party.
Along with the gifts and food, there was also a party game called "Pin the Bomb on Baghdad."
At one point, the students went into the Tavern, where they sang the "Happy Birthday" song.
Some onlookers clapped and sang along, according to Hitow.
The idea to hold a birthday party was a clever way to remind people of the war, said Sarah Duryea, a sophomore in CAS who was on the quad during the event.
"If people aren't necessarily informed or want to be informed, I think it's a good idea," Duryea said. Colin Herbst, a sophomore in the School of Public Affairs who participated in the party, said he and others were somewhat worried about getting into any trouble for the demonstration.
"We're just trying to get our point across that the Iraq War has gone on for five years now, and that's five years way too long," he said. "We're not trying to offend anybody, that's for sure."
Also at the party, there was a casket, guised as a gift, with a tag that read "4,000 servicemen and women, [one] million Iraqi lives, [three] trillion of your dollars."
Hitow said that the event was a satirical take on the issue of the war.
CASJ, Patriots for Peace and other clubs will be holding events such as movie screenings and teach-ins, according to Hitow.
"We're just trying to awaken activism on this campus," Herbst said.
No campus organizations sponsored the event, according to Hitow. The event was planned solely by the individuals who were participating.
