On the five year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, the day of terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, people across the country took time to remember lives lost that day.

Some University students used large and loud displays, while others were reflective and silent to commemorate the anniversary.

Students in the Anti-War Organizing League, in conjunction with other anti-war organizations, had a war protest at Peavey Plaza in Minneapolis Monday afternoon.

About 75 people participated, including a bagpiper and a man dressed like President George W. Bush, complete with rubber mask.

The rally served as a way to remember those who have died and to educate the public about policy changes since Sept. 11, said global studies senior and Anti-War Organizing League member Erika Zurawski.

“Today is a really motivating day,” she said. “Students should really understand their important roles in stopping this war.”

Zurawski said it is important for students to get involved in activities like this because of their youthful energy and perspective.

“We can learn from the experience of other people, but we still have new ideas that need to be heard,” she said.

Students outside the organization, like geography junior Molly Sanders, decided to participate in the rally because they want people to be aware of “both sides of the argument.”

“However you want to express yourself is cool, as long as you know what’s going on around you,” Sanders said. “It’s important to make your own conscious opinion. A lot of students just do what their parents do.”

Other student groups found different ways to memorialize Sept. 11. The College Republicans, for example, displayed 2,977 miniature American flags on the lawn in front of Coffman Union to represent the lives lost in the terrorist attacks.

Minnesota College Republican chairwoman Bethany Dorobiala said the flag memorial is an appropriate way to honor the men and women lost in the attacks.

“Any other display is completely inappropriate,” Dorobiala said.

Some students disputed the motive of the memorial. University College Democrats President Noah Seligman said he saw the memorial as a recruiting tool for the College Republicans.

“I don’t support any partisan use of Sept. 11,” Seligman said.

While the memorial was appropriate, he said, the Young Republican advertising crossed the line.

“It shows a lack of character,” he said.

Other students, like political science junior Zeb Anderson, said they were happy to see a variety of views on display today.

“Everyone’s viewpoints are valid, as long as they’re presented in a tactful way,” Anderson said. “There should be an effort to listen to both sides.”