Ventura College student poets can compete for cash prizes at an anti-war poetry reading Thursday. The event, “Give Peace a Chance” is sponsored by The Nurses for Social Responsibility (NSR), a local political organization, the Truth Fairy of Ventura and the student ASVC. The NSR is also hosting the movie, “Beyond Treason,” produced, written and narrated by Air Force Captain Joyce Riley who will be showcasing the film at Ventura College.

The NSR opposes the use of weapons of mass destruction, and the war in Iraq.

“Nurses take an oath, a Hippocratic Oath to do no harm,” said Grant Marcus, the founder of NSR. “We oppose all aggressive pre-emptive wars.” Marcus contends that NSR, unlike other organizations in the country, support the military but not the use of WMDs. The NSR is hosting the poetry contest to promote peace. To enter, bring three original poems that are peaceful or anti-war in nature. The first prize is $125, the second prize is $75 and the third prize is $50. The event takes place this Thursday in the Fireside Lounge from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

“Beyond Treason”, a film about possible causes of the Gulf War Syndrome, will be playing in the VC Theater Friday at 7 p.m. It suggests that the use of depleted uranium, biological warfare, and untested governmental vaccinations are the most likely causes of the syndrome.

Riley is a major opponent of the use of weapons of mass destruction. She is the spokeswoman for the American Gulf War Veterans Association and will answer any questions about the film after the screening.

The Nurses for Social Responsibility were formed last year to help combat the loss of innocent lives in warfare. The group speaks out against weapons that may leave lasting damage in countries where modern wars are fought.