Letters to the Editor

On-campus issues deserve attention

Hundreds of students can rally to save Darfur and hundreds more can dance for 26 hours straight to fight the war against pediatric AIDS, but I can’t find an open seat in Ackerman Union to relax and digest the day, let alone my food.

Saving children is great. Fighting hunger? Even better!

But when a guy can’t even snag an open table and enjoy a bite to eat … well, that’s ludicrous.

Why are people so concerned with helping others that they completely ignore the stuff that matters here at home?

My solution is simple and costly: Buy more chairs and tables.

Let’s channel some of that money we use to save Sudan to save my feet from having to search for an empty seat. That way, I won’t have to sit outside by the plants because I was one of the unlucky many who could not secure a table on which to salivate over his stromboli or pore over his deluxe Panda Express combo meal.

Nick Moreno,

Third-year, cognitive science

National divestment next on agenda

As mentioned in the article “Divestment was just the beginning,” (March 5, News) the Darfur Action Committee put on a series of events last week that brought awareness about the ongoing violence in Darfur.

Although the week’s events were successful and were able to educate many, the work does not stop here.

UCLA, the California State Teachers’ Retirement System and the California Public Employees’ Retirement System all have adopted targeted divestment plans to economically pressure the government of Sudan.

It is important to note that students not only initiated these efforts, but were at the forefront, playing a critical role in keeping our representatives accountable and making sure that protection of civilians is promoted.

We have reached a critical state in the campaign. We need to start putting extra pressure on our national representatives to push for national-divestment legislation, as well as for more diplomatic pressure on the government of Sudan.

The Darfur Action Committee urges you to send a letter or call your representative or even go on a lobby visit.

Students are an important part of creating change. At the center of this movement, we have the power to push for national divestment, as well as other types of action to ensure the end to the crisis currently happening in Darfur.

Gregory Cendana

USAC internal vice president

Karina Garcia

Chair, Darfur Action Committee