Makeshift wooden booths regularly decorate the path to the University Union, each with their respective organization and purpose.

Campus Peace Action is one such organization especially adamant about its cause. The group’s mission is promoting peace by bringing attention to a variety of international issues through education and action, President Lesley McCann said.

The organization is a diverse group that’s predominately progressive but open to people of any political persuasion who share the common goal of promoting peace.

We’re not all bleeding heart liberals, McCann said.

Local peace activist Leisa Barnes and faculty member Paul Burke founded campus Peace Action in 2003 in response to the war in Iraq.

The group’s student membership reached 350 within its first year, showing overwhelming support for a return to peace, McCann said.

Barnes was arrested last year during a demonstration at the School of the Americas in Ft. Benning, Ga. She was convicted of trespassing on federal property and was sequentially imprisoned for several months at a federal women’s institution in Camp Parks, Calif.

Since returning from prison, Barnes has continued her work for peace locally and internationally. She’s currently on a speaking tour of Northern California with Roy Bourgeois, peace activist and founder of the organization, School of the Americas Watch.

Campus Peace Action co-sponsored Bourgeois’ visit to Sac State March 2. Coming up, the group is co-sponsoring a showing of the movie Embedded with the Political Film Club on March 19, and is working with regional and international groups in sponsoring the Eyes Wide Open Exhibit’ at the state capital on March 29.

Those interested in membership, involvement or may attend Campus Peace Action meetings Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. in the University Union.

Andy Laughlin can be reached at [email protected]