The pouring rain forced Thursday’s “Books not Bush” rally from the Campus Mall to the Davies Center breezeway, but it was unable to wash away the passion of the rally’s speakers.

As the event’s organizers prepared, The Beatles’ song “Revolution” was played from speakers, underscoring the rally’s revolutionary tone.

“(The weather is) not something we have control over but I’ll tell you what, we do have control over the destiny of this country,” said junior Andrew Werthmann, the organizer of the event. “Nov. 2 we’re going to take this country back.”

About 70 of Werthmann’s fellow revolutionaries gathered in the breezeway, along with a group of about a dozen Bush supporters who came to protest the event. Progressive Student Association sponsored the event.

The Bush supporters, who held Bush signs near the stage but remained silent during the rally, said they expressed a desire to practice their right to freedom of expression and show students that there are two sides to the political spectrum on campus.

The event began with Brad Johnson of Veterans for Peace, who, without endorsing a candidate, told the audience to vote Tuesday.

Johnson was followed by Karen Pope, an assistant professor in information literacy, a librarian at UW-Eau Claire and a member of Women in Black, a female peace group. She told the audience of her group’s efforts to advocate for peace through silent protests.

She also rallied against war, calling for better use of economic resources.

“We stand for economic policies that redirect some of the vast sums of money and resources away, excessive planning and preparation for war, and toward economics with a human face,” Pope said.

Sophomore Hannah Lott said it was worthwhile attending the rally.

“I thought it was very empowering,” Lott said.

She said she felt called to advocate the messages put forth.

“The work doesn’t end on Nov. 2,” she said.

Kate Hale, assistant professor of English and Paula Kleintjes, chair of the biology department, also took the stage to discuss environmental issues.

They both blasted Bush for failing to protect the environment, choosing business influences over the advice of the scientific community.

Associate professor of English, Robert Nowlan took the stage to decry the actions of the president against the rights of the homosexual community.

Jeff Smith, the Democratic candidate for State Assembly in the 93rd District, continued the anti-Bush message spending most of his speech rebuking Bush’ policies. However, Smith took time to commend the Bush supporters who gathered to protest the event.

“This, right here,” Smith said, pointing to the protesters, “should give all of us great hope, because this is what this country is all about.”

Werthmann echoed Smith’s remarks, challenging students to make a difference.

“We have the opportunity to change the course of this country,” Werthmann said. “Our generation can do that. We need to go to the polls on Nov. 2 to do that.”