Newspapers / University of North Carolina … / Oct. 25, 1971, edition 1 / Page 2
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page two/the Journal/october 2S, 1971 A vet writes To the Editor: Because of the unbelievably sparce coverage of events by the local news media last week on Billy Graham Day, 1 would like to enlighten those who were not there with a news report of my own so that you may gain a little perspective. First of all, 1 am letting it be known that 1 am a member of the Veterans Against the War, UNCC chapter, a non-political group of ex-servicemen who have one common belief, that being a strong opposition to the war in Southeast Asia. As to our reasons or motives for opposing this war, they are as diversified as any group of randomly-selected people. Since most of our group have served in some capacity in Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos, 1 feel we have a little better insight into what is happening there than most people. Thus, when we gathered at the Coliseum to express our view, we felt very self-ri^iteous. We joined a group of roughly 150-200 people who share our view. Briefly stated, we let our feelings known by parading up and down the street in more or less orderly fashion, carrying signs, shouting slogans, and dragging a cross as a symbol of all those who have died in Southeast Asia. After about thirty minutes of this, we decided we had made our point. For all practical purposes, our plans had been carried out. We veterans decided to enter the Coliseum then, along with the rest of the crowd. From this point on, 1 can only relate to you as an individual, not as a member of a group. I personally share an equal distaste for both Mr. Nixon and Mr. Graham, but I was mildly curious as to what would be said. Just as I approached the entrance, th door was suddenly blocked by a large policeman who just stood there and said nothing. Wlien 1 gave him my ticket he looked the other way. I asked him why I couldn’t get in (I had to ask several times before I got a response) and he said he had orders not to let us in. I asked to speak to his superior who finally came over and said to leave. He walked off and I asked two ushers why we couldn’t get in. They said they sympathized with me, but they were under orders from the Secret Service to keep us out. No reason was given for barring us from the door. It was then I learned from friends that they were rejecting those people with long hair, jeans, and sandals. There was nothing else to do but to leave. I talked to the woman who was thrown out along with her son because she was seen talking to some longhairs before going in. The papers reported this incident, but failed to tell the degree of force used to remove her. Manhandling would probably be the best way to describe it. She has the bruises to prove it. You all know there were five persons arrested on charges of either disturbing the peace or being a public nuisance. Did you also know at least three of them were picked indiscriminately from a large crowd? Contrary tc popular belief, there is not safety in numbers. The Journal encourages its readers to write in response to items appearing in its pages. The Journal accepts all letters to the editor, provided they are typed or legibly printed and limited to a maximum of 300 words. All letters must be signed and bear the address and phone number of the writer. The Journal reserves the right to edit all letters for libelous statements and good taste. On Independence Boulevard, the curb and sidewalk is separated by a foot of grass. At least five hundred people were standing on this grass, yet a local policeman came over and singled out the only black in the group and said, “Get off the grass, boy, or I’ll run your black ass downtown,” or words to that effect. The black silently obeyed. I was standing next to the policeman and when I asked him if 1 could quote him, he threatened to take me in. There are numerous other incidents I could talk about, but the point is, there needs to be a public awareness of what really happens in our country. Observer ran an editorial which said, America “is not a banana republic.” Unfortunately, banana republic is a pretty good description after witnessing last week’s events. Sister McAllister quoted a statement on our campus last week which each and every one of the journal editor managing editor news editor arts editor sports editor photography editor cartoonist staff photographers staff michael mcculley Charlie peek Sharon deck jay eaker j.c. meadows tom alsop dave lazenby richard bartholomew, gordon briscoe, terry bottom, stan caton, Charlie hartis, george neil, elaine nichols, and Steve wilcox becky barnette, sharon deck, ken dye, dean duncan, joe mccorkle, Iloyd rose, henry wilson, j.c. meadows, bob rowland, james cuthbertson, kenneth c. foster, john robinson, diane woodard. The opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the University of North Carolina or UNCC or the student body, nor are opinions expressed in signed articles and columns necessarily those of the Editor or all members of the staff. Subscriptions are $6.00 per year. Write The Journal, UNCC Station, Charlotte, N.C,, 28213. Journal offices located in B-4, basement of University Center, telephone 596-5970, extension 497. Represented nationally by National Educational Advertising Services, Inc. (NEAS). Ad rates available on raquest. Ads are accepted non-discriminately and their appearance in the Journal does not constitute endorsement of the ad. Abortion ads are published without verification by the Journal but do not consti tute endorsement or support of abortions. US should listen to. She said, “Freedom is taken for granted by all, and everyone assumes they have it. It is when they try to exercise it that they realize that they never had it at all. Last week at the Coliseum, this truism was never more evident.' Jay Barnes Open raps To the Editor: I would like to try to clarify the notices around campus concerning open discussions.- We are interested in establishing a continuing program on Wednesdays, 7:30 to 11:00 p.m., in the Northwest Lounge of the University Center. All topics are fair game for discussion and the atmosphere is very informal. Various people from the faculty, administration, etc., may be invited to participate for an evening, if the students in the group wish to do so. This thus offers an opportunity to meet interesting people on a personal and informal basis, and to learn about their fields of interest with no formal pressures involved. All students are invited on a regular or occasional basis. Since there is no set program, people can come and go as they please. So, if you are interested but can’t come at 7:30 or stay the whole time, feel free to drop in whenever you can. If you have any questions, I will be glad to try to answer them. I can be found in room 204 Kennedy, extension 243. Thomas D. Walsh Chemistry Department We do work To the Students, Since much comment is made concerning what Student Government does not do, it seems fair and necessary that we inform the students about what has been done. It is not our intention to defend all actions of the Executive or Legislative branches, but merely to explain our actions that may appear on the surface unwise. In October, one of the main items on the Legislative agenda was funding for the student handbook, the Goldigger. The Goldigger was not funded mainly because the editor did not follow proper procedure in going through the Finance Committee and some felt it was not worth $2,245.00. Even though not funded as of yet, the editor has now submitted his budget to the Finance Coirimittee and may come before the Legislature again. Another item that has caused controversy is the funding of the cheerleaders. Their budget of $540 for uniforms was approved and their travel budget of $1400 has not yet reached a vote. A compromise was worked out so that the cheerleaders could be partially financed by the Athletic Department. Members of Student Government have also been at work trying to change some policies implemented by the Administration. The $200-rent-per-night of the recital hall in the Fine Arts Building has been struck down after some controversy. The $75-per-hour rent of the Gymnaisum will not be changed until the Athletic Committee decides upon a new policy. In regard to the policy whereby $2.00 was accessed to Moore Hall residents, the Student Government is taking action to test its legality. A lawyer has already been contacted and a suit against the University is being considered. Not only do we feel (See LETTERS, page 7) journal graphic/cps For peace and iustke To the Editor: December will mark 25 years that the U.S. Congress has appropriated funds for warfare in IndoChina. And, though Richard Nixon tells us that he is “winding down” the war, in reality the intensity of civilian bombing in IndoChina is greater than at any time in history. The number of human beings killed, crippled or driven into refugee camps by Nixon’s deadly stepped up automated air war is 22,000 more people a month than the 95,000 monthly war casualties under Lyndon Johnson. At home, a nightmare of burgeoning unenployment rolls, inflation, grossly inadequate health care, welfare> education and housing programs; inhuman prisons and continued racism, sexism and repression have brought the contradictions of the American system to the foreground in a way that can no longer be denied. But we also find ourselves at a point in time when some of us are tired and skeptical of the years of demonstrations; certainly all of us are wondering which way to proceed next. Yet it is also a time of iiniqu® historical importance, and as we witness the collapse of the American economic system simultaneously with the specter of continuation of a war that 73% of the American people oppose, it becomes evident that this is not the time to allow our protest to take invisible forms. We see, too the need for far more massive, intensive and long-term community organizing around the serious wrongs of this country — and the possible (and existing) alternatives. We ask you to join with us in Washington, D.C. October 22-27 in ^ series of fall actions that we hope will integrate this slow base building so necessary in the communities with the national perspectives we need to concentrate our power and communicate our growing solidarity, lov® and support — for each other and our sisters and brothers in Vietnain and other lands. We feel that the program we see beginning this mont in Washington goes beyond the phenomena of the one-sho demonstration to concretely deal with the formation of a long-terid strategy for the crucial upcoming election year. , The actions that will occur in Washington this month are centers around the eviction of Richard Nixon from the White House; 1^ formation of a People’s Grand Jury to investigate the policies an institutions of the government of the United States and a physic demonstration of the American people’s acceptance of our declaratm of peace with the Vietnamese. From October 22-25, a People’s Grand Jury of welfare mother^’ blacks, Chicanos, students, Vietnam veterans, factory worked ’ ex-prisoners and government employees will convene in Washington begin the first of many investigations into the institutions and g of human suffering. On Veteran’s Day, October 25, we will decD People’s Armistice Day and invite people to hear from the Vietnam^^^ representatives in Paris via transcontinental telephone within earshot the White House at the Washington Monument’s Sylvan Theater. At the message, thousands of people will accept the Vietnamese peace P‘^ in a citizen’s peace treaty ceremony on behalf of millions of America On Tuesday, October 26, we will hold a national memorial mourning for those \^o have died at Attica, San Quentin, in IndoChi and in other places while in resistance to America. Then, we will se an eviction notice on Richard Nixon in the White House. Uj importance of removing Nixon from office is seen not in terms oi , particular personality — though it is a recognition of his unprecedeH and brutal use of power — or as an endorsement of Democratic cho as an alternative, but rather as a means toward educating the Amer* g people about power in the United States. The eviction is also to se notice to all politicians of the American people’s intention to fi*' stop this war and turn the country around. From the 24th to the 27th we will hold planning workshops together those of us who have come from around the country out our strategy locally and nationally for the year ahead. We ^ js building on what starts in Washington and planning together for wh^ to follow. jj^jS We see the fall actions as an important and necessary tactic (oj moment in 1971 and as a crucial beginning for a coordinated wide-reaching election year effort. We ask you to come with i** month to Washington. .\e, In Peoples Coalition for Peace & •I^'p C- Washington,
University of North Carolina at Charlotte Student Newspaper
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Oct. 25, 1971, edition 1
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