The Anti-War Coalition at the University of Massachusetts is sponsoring a formal student debate this Thursday on the current conflict in Iraq. The discussion will allow equal time for both sides – for students who are for and against the war – to express their opinions, organizers say. The debate will be civilized and without many interruptions or people speaking over each other, says organizer Ethan Burke. “Regardless of where one stands on the issue of the Iraq War, we hope all can agree that dialogue and discussion is beneficial to a democratic society,” said Burke, a member of the UMass Anti-War Coalition who will be speaking at the event. Speaking in defense of the war in Iraq will be UMass students Hirak Shah and Joe Kelley, and expressing views against the war are Anti-War Coalition members Burke and Justin Jackson. Dan O’Brien, the News Editor of the Massachusetts Daily Collegian, will be moderating the event. The discussion will take place this Thursday, May 11 at 7 p.m. in room 101 of the UMass Campus Center. All students and community members are encouraged to attend.