"We feel very strongly about the importance of continued citizen activism. And that yes we can as citizens come together and show that peace is still very very important to us."
Bill Ramsey is a coordinator with the St. Louis Instead of War Coalition. He's currently on a bike ride from St. Louis to Columbia called Pedal for Peace. The group of four riders is trying to raise awareness for the rally, and they hope more bicyclists will join them as they get closer to Columbia. The group left St. Louis at noon Thursday and plans to arrive in Columbia at about noon Saturday. Organizers expect people to come to the rally from all over the state. Fortel says Columbia was an appealing city because of its central location and its reputation for organizing similar events.
"It's a good central location, and also we have kind of a precedent for doing these kinds of events here in Columbia."
Tomas Young, who is known for his role in the documentary "Body of War," and Zaid Mahir, an Iraqi professor at MU, will be two of the speakers at the event.Ramsey says the financial costs of the war will be a topic at the event.
"We really need that money here. We need it for housing. We need it for health care. We need it for education. And we're just afraid that none of that can happen as long as we're in this perpetual war economy."
The rally takes place Saturday afternoon at the Courthouse Square in downtown Columbia.
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