In addition to hundreds of partiers, Mifflin Street may have other visitors this Saturday. An antiwar rally, slated to begin on Library Mall and move up State Street to the Capitol, has marked the street as a potential destination for a Saturday march.
The rally will focus on the unethical behaviors exercised against Iraqi citizens and the transfer of funds from domestic issues to defense.
\We're calling for an end to occupations, from Iraq to Palestine to everywhere,"" said UW-Madison freshman Samuel Swenson, a member of the Stop the War organization.
According to Rae Vogeler of the Madison Area Peace Coalition, organizers are hoping a visit to Mifflin will stir up old emotions from the '60s, when Mifflin block parties were home to not just parties but to serious political discussion as well.
""We are going to broaden the peace movement and draw in other layers,"" Vogeler said.
Swenson pointed out, however, that despite misconceptions in the media, attendance to Mifflin will depend on whether or not the crowd reaches ""critical mass,"" and will be voluntary for all members.
""It's not the main idea,"" Swenson said.
Lt. Mary Schauf of the Madison Police Department said she is not worried about the protest causing trouble, as the party atmosphere is designed to be conducive to a safe situation.
""I hold hope that people would be mature enough to respect the rights of others as they march,"" said Schauf.
Additionally, while the coalition has not obtained a permit to march on Mifflin, parades are often an impromptu event which do not always follow the given path, so the police do not intend to ""chase that stuff down,"" according to Schauf.
Mifflin Street residents, however, have expressed worry about the combination of alcohol and politics.
Erin Brodhagen, a Mifflin resident and UW-Madison sophomore, said while she supports their message, the crowded atmosphere is not the best situation for marchers.
""It could definitely turn into a dangerous situation, because people have opposite opinions,"" Brodhagen said. ""Drunken people may get belligerent and start fights, riots even.""
Despite the confusion over whether Mifflin will be the destination of the march and what the potential results could be, Allan Ruff of MAPC said focusing on it diminishes the spirit of the rally.
""The emphasis of [the rally] isn't whether or not we go to Mifflin, the point is there's a war going on,"" Ruff said. ""This city has a long tradition, and a very important role to play as a focal point for issues nationally and internationally.\
