With the possibility of a war with Iraq looming, the UW-Eau Claire chapter of Amnesty International and the Network of Unitarian Universalist Students, along with the Eau Claire Friends Meeting, addressed concerns Tuesday night of a possible military draft.

The meeting, which began at 7 p.m. in the Oneida Room of Davies Center, was titled “Uncle Sam Wants You,” and focused primarily on familiarizing students with the concept of religious or moral conscientious objection to war.

As the meeting began, speakers and organizers of the event performed a version of Mark Twain’s “War Prayer” that was modified to fit the current War on Terrorism.

Several speakers who had been Conscientious Objectors during the Vietnam era draft spoke after the skit about being prepared for a possible draft that could follow any military action in the next few years.

Keynote speaker John Martinson, a draft counselor and CO during Vietnam, spoke of the need to begin filing the papers for consciousness objection immediately, before a possible draft began.

“Right now the chances of this happening seem to be slim,” Martinson said. “But if young men are at all inclined to file as Conscientious Objectors, they have to begin their files now.”

Attendance at the meeting was low. Not counting organizers or participants in the event, fewer than 10 people were in the crowd, only three of whom were students and only one of whom was from Eau Claire.

Tony Eichberger, the sole student from the university in attendance, said the lack of advertising could explain the low numbers.

“I think it was probably because of the publicity,” Eichberger said. “If it had been publicized as well as the Ralph Nader forum, it would have had a much better turnout.”

The remaining two students, sophomores Adam Wheeler and Eliza Swanson, had traveled from UW-Stout to attend the meeting.

“Growing up I was always opposed to any form of violence,” Swanson said. “It seems like we’re always using violence before we try anything else.”

Wheeler said they heard of the event through their church.

Mark Helpsmeet, one of the organizers of the event, said that although the numbers of people at similar events had been higher, overall he has been disappointed by attendance.

“The vast majority of people do not care one way or the other unless something affects them personally,” Helpsmeet said. “My impression is that students now have no sense of personal connection.”