Philip Bock protested outside of Popejoy Hall on Wednesday just like he did 40 years ago.
Bock, a retired anthropology professor, held basically the same sign and had the same message, while the same performance went on inside Popejoy — Johannes Brahms’ “A German Requiem.” Forty years ago, Bock said he and a dozen other protesters stood outside the performance hall to speak against the Vietnam War.
“We didn’t argue with people,” he said. “We just thought that Vietnam was turning into a total quagmire. At that point, tens of thousands of Americans had already been killed, as well as countless Vietnamese. Again we’re on the verge of a quagmire in Afghanistan, in my opinion.”
This year, four people protested, but Bock said he didn’t plan this year’s demonstration as far in advance. He said “A German Requiem” is a piece meant to comfort the living and honor the dead.
“The chorus sings, ‘Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.’ Well, I don’t feel very comforted,” he said.
Bock said the protest is also a vigil to remember those who died in war.
“Our signs mourn for all the Americans and others who were killed in huge numbers, and will be killed if this so-called surge into Afghanistan goes ahead,” Bock said.
Eric McInteer, spokesman for college Republicans, said the war in Afghanistan is necessary to protect the U.S.
“Pakistan, just to the south, is a potentially unstable regime with very poorly secured nuclear weapons,” McInteer said. “If we fail in Afghanistan, insurgents could get their hands on nuclear weapons or nuclear material and make them, given enough time and resources. I’m worried they would actually use those weapons against us.”
McInteer said all political parties should support the war in Afghanistan, not protest against it.
“I don’t feel the need to go grab a sign and get angry at America,” he said. “I’m proud to be an American, and I just don’t have the same attitude that those people do.”
McInteer wrote a letter to the editor in the Daily Lobo with a similar message on Dec. 4.
Bock said protesting is a way to demonstrate personal opinions. He said America should have learned from past mistakes in wars like Vietnam.
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“I hope to keep alive the idea that these deaths are not necessary,” he said. “War is not the answer. On my sign there is the quote, ‘When will they ever learn?’”
Bob Anderson, protester and former UNM professor, said the reactions of passersby to the protest were encouraging.
“A couple of people have walked by and said, ‘Right on; good,’” he said. “Anyone who has sympathies to understand what the Requiem is about understands the sad situation in this country.”
