Friday, November 21, 1997
As the regents meet inside, protesters gather outside Covel
Commons
CONTROVERSY: They denounce Gov. Wilson for Prop. 209,
domestic-partner policies
By Brian Fishman
Daily Bruin Contributor
Chanting, "Pete Wilson, you liar, we’ll set your ass on fire,"
protesters filled the quad in front of Covell Commons while the UC
Board of Regents met inside.
Fifty people from two groups — one advocating the passage of
the domestic partnership proposal and the other protesting the
repeal of affirmative action — rallied against the Regents.
Spearheaded by the undergraduate student government (USAC), the
domestic partnership protest was the largest contingent at the
rally.
A smaller, but equally vocal, contingent from The Coalition to
Defend Affirmative Action By All Means Necessary also made their
voices heard.
The first group of protesters singled out Governor Pete Wilson,
charging that his involvement was preventing the passage of the
domestic partnership proposal.
"Wilson’s the one who’s really crazy with this," said USAC
general representative Darnell Grisby. "Every few years, he has
another issue."
Protesters expressed the view that the Regents were being
manipulated by Wilson for political purposes.
They repeatedly claimed that Wilson’s decision to turn activist
on the domestic partnership issue was a solicitation to right-wing
groups for support of his possible presidential bid in 2000.
Protesters were intent on making themselves heard by the Regents
inside. Stacy Lee, USAC External Vice President repeatedly egged
the crowd on, saying that the Regents could not hear them unless
they screamed louder.
So, with microphones in hand, the group chanted loudly, "Hey,
hey, ho, ho, these puppet Regents got to go."
"Pete Wilson has pulled a dirty political trick," said UCLA
physics professor Stephen Trentalange.
Trentalange, one of a handful of staff and faculty members at
the rally, commented that he is not allocated needed benefits for
his domestic partner. He said he was there to try to influence the
Regents’ decision.
Lee offered an explanation for the continued denial of benefits
to domestic partners.
"A lot of homophobia is going on with the Regents, which is
nothing new," she said.
Several campus groups took part in this rally, including the Gay
and Lesbian Association, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
Resource Office and the Latin American Students Association
(LASA).
"We’re here to support victims of injustice, whatever group they
might belong to," said Claudia Madrigal from LASA.
Groups from outside UCLA participated in the protest for
domestic partnership as well. Students from other UCs and national
student organizations were also on hand.
"Domestic partnership is an issue students nationwide care
about," claimed Sarita Gupta, president of the United States
Student Association.
After Governor Wilson spoke at the regents meeting, activists
such as Jonathan Winters, the co-chair of the UC Lesbian, Gay,
Bisexual, Trans-gender Association (UCLGBTA), gave their
opinions.
"Prejudice is behind a lot of the decisions being made about
domestic partnership," Winters said. "A lot of the comments are
about what queers would do if they were (your) neighbors. What they
don’t know is that homosexuals are already their neighbors."
Sharing the stage were protesters from BAMN.
This group, with protesters from several UC schools, loudly
denounced Proposition 209 and the 1995 Regents decision that ended
the use of affirmative action-based admissions to the UC
system.
BAMN members claim the affirmative action issue has become
enormously important.
"This is an issue that has gone national," said BAMN legal
liaison Joyce Schon. "It’s way beyond the scope of the UCs or even
California."
Schon, although disappointed by the low turnout of BAMN members,
was optimistic that affirmative action may someday be reinstated.
She emphasized that students need to become more involved.
"People need to gain some experience in democracy. The fight for
equality is going to get broader and broader," Schon said.
BAMN members tried to take over the protest, but domestic
partnership protesters consistently used their microphones to drown
out the BAMN comments. This animosity between the groups seemed
only superficial compared to their common ground.
"The fight for affirmative action and the fight for domestic
partnership benefits are absolutely the same, said Yvette Felarca
of BAMN. "Both (campaigns to emliminate them) are attacks from the
right wing, designed to increase oppression."
Despite the protesters’ volume, many students were not
impressed. Some were even hostile towards them. Other students,
however, were sympathetic with the protesters’ cause, but cynical
about the effectiveness of protesting.
"I don’t think they’re getting much attention," said Ye Yu, a
second-year student.
With reports from Dennis Lim, Daily Bruin Contributor.