Students Say “No!” to UMass Complicity with Militarism

Yesterday, Wednesday, March 8, Students and community members rallied and marched against the Iraq war and University at Massachusetts- Amherst’s complicity in militarization. The ultimate goal of the march was to deliver a petition to Chancellor Lombardi. The petition consisted of three demands: first, that the university prohibit military recruitment on campus, citing the discriminatory “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, that military recruiters are not held to the same level of scrutiny that other employers wishing to visit the university campus are, and that the recruiters prey on economically disadvantaged students; second, that the university discontinue its relationship with the FBI agent that is currently in its payroll; and third, that the university cease participation in research that is funded by the Department of Defense and its subsidiary agencies which is complicity supporting violations of international law, including human rights.

The rally started at 12:15 pm outside the Campus Center. A few people gave speeches outside the Campus Center. One Speech, given by a graduate student in History brought up the distinction between a “good” university and a “great” university, emphasizing that the university has the potential to build community and support its students by fostering an environment that does not allow recruiters to prey on vulnerable students and through its actions opposes discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

From the Campus Center, the attendees then marched to Dickenson Hall, Home of the UMass Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. Outside of Dickenson Hall, an international graduate student talked about the effects that increased surveillance had on people, especially international students. He addressed the misconception that an increase in surveillance produced an increase in security, offering instead, that an increase in surveillance created an environment where people did not feel that they could safely engage in discourse. He also talked about how this had a particularly chilling effect on international students who had to be constantly mindful of their visas.

Next, the marchers proceeded to the Whitmore administration building. The first stop inside the building was the Office of Institutional Research (OIR). After pausing at the OIR, they went on to Chancellor Lombardi’s office. Once at Lombardi’s office, students attempted to deliver their petition. A representative of the chancellor refused to accept their petition, stating “this isn’t the time,” and refused to say when an appropriate time would be, showing blatant hostility towards the idea of even talking with the students. While inside the Whitmore building, there were “University of Massachusetts Amherst Observers,” a group set up by the Ombudsmen’s Office observing the interaction between the marchers and the representatives of the administration. While outside of the chancellor’s office, the marchers were also videotaped by a men appearing be a university employee who refused to talk to WMass Indymedia.

When asked about the petition and march afterwards, James Fiorentino, a senior majoring in History and member of the UMass Anti-War Coalition, said “its our campus,” and joked about the slogan “students first,” which hangs on a banner at the front of Haggis Mall. He and others alluded to the irony that on this campus student voices are routinely ignored and that while there is a lot of talk about dialogue, discussion, and democracy in classes, there is not much it to actually be found in regards to the university administration.

The rally and march was organized by the UMass Anti-War Coalition, a non-violent coalition of student groups that are opposed to the current war in Iraq and seek to encourage discourse on campus. Their next meeting will be this Monday, March 13, at 5:30 PM, in the UMass Campus Center room 802.For more information about either about the petition or about the UMass Anti-War Coalition, please visit its website at http://www.studentsagainstthewar.com/umass , or email UMassAWC@gmail.com

By Duckie
March 8, 2006

Comment:

The Holyoke Community College Anti-War Coalition (Campus Antiwar Network chapter) was there in solidarity with our brothers and sisters from the Umass Anti-War coalition; the latter did an amazing job building a loud, militant rally and march that attracted over 125 people!

It was an inspirational event. In addition to the reports below, Liz Clinton from the HCC AWC gave a powerful speech to set the rally off, expressing solidarity with the oppressed people of the Middle East who are engaged in the struggle against imperialism. She also nicely tied in the scapegoating of Arabs and Muslims with the violent repression many of us have faced.

All in all it was a great event- props again to the organizers!

Charles