Hundreds of students marched from the university center to the Hill and to the Volunteer Statue chanting “one, two, three, four; we don’t want your daddy’s war” and carried signs and flags on March 5, 2003, in a “Books not Bombs” protest. The Books not Bombs protest included some three hundred universities and high schools nationally in protesting a looming war with Iraq. At the conclusion of the UT march, students gathered on the University Center Plaza to hear various speakers. The National Youth and Student Coalition initiated the day of action. The rally was sponsored by several UT student organizations, including Students Promoting Environmental Action in Knoxville (SPEAK); the Knoxville Area Coalition for Compassion, Justice and Peace; the Women’s Coordinating Council; Lambda; and College Democrats. A student organization dedicated to supporting American troops, United We Stand, was formed in April.