From Dan Fischer and Zak Kirwood, Wesleyan Students.
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Who: A coalition of Wesleyan University students, Middletown residents, Occupy New Haven protesters, and other democracy-lovers.
What: Protests will occur before and during Scalia’s talk at Wesleyan University. Some protesters will wear Guantanamo Bay suits and Abu Ghraib hoods, protesting Scalia’s complicity in war and torture. Some will dress as “Billionaires for Scalia,” pointing out Scalia’s corruption and role in Citizens United. Some will distribute safe sex supplies to combat Scalia’s assaults on reproductive freedom and privacy.
In anticipation of Scalia’s appearance, a half-dozen letters to the editor were collectively authored and published today in Wesleyan’s student newspaper, The Argus. They denounced Scalia and the complicity of school administration and students with his visit. One letter published in the Argus explained to the campus community the rationale behind the protests in this way: "If you consider yourself committed to the abolition of institutionalized violence, and for the realization of true justice from below, we implore you to express your dissent on the day of Scalia’s arrival, in whatever way is best for you and your community (chalking, protesting, organizing counter-events, hosting critical discussions, organizing justice-oriented events, etc.). In essence, we call on all people of conscience to ‘Occupy Scalia.’”
Where and when: Thursday, March 8. 7 PM. Memorial Chapel, 221 High Street, Middletown CT. Protest begins outside the Chapel. Scalia’s speech starts inside the Chapel at 8.
Why: Scalia represents highly unjust and oppressive political systems, which for example appointed George W. Bush as unelected president in 2000 and increased corporate control of elections in the 2010 Citizens United ruling. In contrast, the Scalia Welcoming Committee is a truly democratic, non-hierarchical group, inspired by the Occupy movement, Arab Spring and global anti-austerity protests. We strongly reject the Wesleyan administration’s choice to invite such a bigoted, sexist, corrupt puppet of the super-rich to speak.
5 comments:
Truly disappoints me to see how many students believe that "diversity" extends to every sex, race, color, creed, age, etc...until someone dares to think differently.
If you disagree with Justice Scalia, then fine. Many of the protesters do. However, if you are protesting that he is speaking, then perhaps you should consider your own intolerance and close-mindedness.
As usual, middletowneye has it all wrong when it state the the Supreme Court elected George W Bush. The "Eye" obviously has no knowledge of the Florida election laws nor why the Supreme Court was called into the fray. He would do well to engage his brain before slipping his mouth.
Nice to know that Wesleyan students are so tolerate of others. Typical of those on the left who believe in tolerance only if you agree with them.
I would think the students would want someone with a differing viewpoint from themselves speaking to get a dialog going. Shame that the narrow minded students can't do just that.
Dear Anonymous at 1:09 PM:
As usual, a commenter "has it all wrong" when he or she applies criticism of one article to the entire site. Obviously, you didn't read the part where the "EYE" wasn't the author. In fact, there isn't a singular EYE author or editor, there are many of us working together on our own areas of interest. Sometimes, we just post something written by someone else, especially when it advertises a community event. Therefore, it really isn't logical or fair to trash the entire effort because of one community event advertisement. Perhaps you could...oh how did you phrase it? Oh yes, something about engaging your brain...
Speaking of the US Supreme Court, one rarely hears mentioned, and I would bet that very few peple are aware, that six justices for life are Catholic. Coincidence? Not likely. It could also explain the current proclivity for mixing religion with politics anticipating a sympathetic court. It's no longer about liberal vs conservative. Introducing religion removes any rational national discourse as there can be no logical arguments. Tenets of faith by definition must be accepted as truth.
Oh, the other three justices are Jewish. There are no other religions or denominations represented on the court that determines our rights.
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