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HOPE (Hamilton Organization for Peace on Earth)

Overview

HOPE (Hamilton Organization for Peace on Earth) was a student peace and anti-war organization at Hamilton College that became prominent during the Persian Gulf War of 1990–1991. Founded in the spring of 1990, the group organized campus vigils, forums, and a contingent to the national peace rally in Washington, D.C. HOPE characterized itself as primarily educational, seeking to allow all viewpoints on the war to be expressed rather than taking a fixed position.

Key Details

• Full name: Hamilton Organization for Peace on Earth
• Active: Founded spring 1990; prominent January–March 1991
• Faculty advisor: Peter Rabinowitz (music professor)
• Student leaders (1991): Bill Thackeray ‘91 (coordinator), Charlie Siskel ‘91, Andrew Metz ‘91, Mike Zapruder ‘91, Lisa Rawson ‘91
• Key activities: Peace vigil (January 25, 1991), Speak-Out forum (February 1, 1991), Washington D.C. rally (late January 1991)

In the Sources

HOPE was described by the Spectator as “established the previous spring” (i.e., spring 1990), suggesting it was founded before the Gulf crisis began. Its first major documented action was participation in a campus peace vigil on January 25, 1991, the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The organization then sponsored a day-long Speak-Out forum in the Chapel on February 1, 1991, endorsed by President Hank Payne. HOPE also chartered a bus for approximately 30 students to travel to Washington, D.C. for the national peace rally, traveling overnight between midnight and 3:00 a.m.

Coordinator Bill Thackeray ‘91 stated that HOPE’s goal was education: “HOPE thinks it is important to have people thinking and not just watching CNN reports.” The organization was careful to note it did not restrict membership based on political position on the war.

Sources

Related Topics

• Gulf War Response at Hamilton, 1991
• Student Activism and Social Movements