Letters

Monday, April 20, 1998

Letters

Troubles with protest

I was happy to see the large turnout for the diversity rally
outside Murphy Hall on April 16. It is gratifying to see so many
people turn out for a cause which they support, alerting people to
problems resulting from Proposition 209.

Any sympathy which I may have had for this cause, however, was
severely diminished by the protesters’ actions.

I had business to take care of in Murphy Hall, as did many
people since it was Thursday of second week. My entry to Murphy
Hall was blocked, however, by protesters who would not allow people
to get into the building. I finally found a hole in the line and
was able to get in. That was bad enough.

When I got in, however, a fire alarm went off, forcing everyone
to evacuate. As I tried to leave, protesters again blocked my way,
this time attempting to keep me and many others inside a building
which was being cleared. We were told, "I’m not allowed to move,"
and, "No, you can’t leave." This is not only rude, it is extremely
unsafe.

You all have the right to stand up for your beliefs, and I am
happy to see that you did. But those protesters who tried to
prevent people from leaving the building when a fire alarm was
going off cause otherwise sympathetic people like me to lose
respect for you personally, and for your cause. As a student of
politics, I can tell you that this is not a good way to gain
support.

Rachel Miller

Senior

Political science