Friday, March 6, 1998
Students voice opposition to sanctions
IRAQ: Various groups unite to send message that U.S. policy
toward Iraq results in children’s deaths
By Barbara Ortutay
Daily Bruin Contributor
Students concerned with the situation in Iraq demonstrated on
Thursday that one doesn’t have to belong to a specific student
group to be politically active.
The protest against U.S. sanctions in Iraq attracted, at various
times, 50 to 200 onlookers. About 80 students actively participated
in the rally in front of Kerckhoff Hall and the subsequent march
around campus.
"What was good is that students of all colors came together, not
just one group," said participant Mike De la Rocha, a third-year
American Literature and Chicano Studies student.
The rally began with students holding up signs reproaching the
U.S. government for its foreign policy and reciting statistics
about the effects of U.S. sanctions in Iraq. They presented a skit
of "Uncle Scam" selling "democracy," as well as weaponry, to
foreign countries and dictatorships.
"The purpose of today is to educate; many students are not aware
of what’s going on," said USAC president Kandea Mosley.
Although the bombing of Iraq has been tentatively called off,
protesters were more concerned with the U.N. sanctions on Iraq that
have been in place since 1991. According to UNICEF, about 1 million
children have died due to malnutrition as a direct effect of the
sanctions. This translates to a child dying every 10 minutes.
"The reason why I’m here today is because I have a few problems
with my government and with a child dying every 10 minutes," said
speaker Tahua Hoke from the Muslim Students’ Association.
As speakers continued on, one onlooker, second-year student Mike
Gunter, yelled out "What do we do about it?"
"I don’t like sanctions that kill kids … but what do we do? If
we lift the sanctions, we’ll still have the corrupt government," he
said later.
Few onlookers who gathered on Bruin Walk had comments about the
rally. Most said they were uninformed on the issue. Among students
who did take a stand, opinions were mixed.
"They shouldn’t lift the sanctions because we need to stop
Saddam Hussein," said first-year student Thomas Lew.
Speakers emphasized that the rally was by no means supporting
Saddam Hussein or the Iraqi government.
"Saddam is sick and an enemy to humanity. But the sanctions have
not helped since 1991, and they are an enemy to humanity as well,"
said Scott Kurishige of the Environmental Coalition.
The march stopped in front of Murphy Hall. "Chancellor
Carnesale, where are you?" asked the protesters. "Carnesale has
made a name for himself as an international diplomat. Where is our
chancellor in this time of crisis?" said Kurishige.
Carnesale did not emerge from his office – if he indeed was
there – and the rally moved on.
The next stop was Lu Valle Commons, where Mosley called on "all
those students sitting there sipping Coca Cola" to take action.
Not all students supported the rally, and at least one was
skeptical about the motives behind it.
"This is a big plot to get consistency votes. They never cared
about the Middle East before," said Roee Ruttenberg, former USAC
candidate. "Every time elections come around, they always rally
against some oppression to fool the UCLA community. I don’t think
they are educated enough on this subject."
Some students were more supportive, however.
"They have a valid point. It’s really nice to see students take
action," said fourth-year student Natasha Larmore.
Philosophy professor emeritus Donald Kalish, who has been at
UCLA for almost 50 years, said he was pleased to see that "students
are starting to be concerned with the global situation instead of
just themselves and their 4.0s."
"U.S. policy against Iraq is completely incorrect. We have to do
more than rattle our weapons," he added.DAVID HILL
Students protest against U.S. sanctions on Iraq in front of
Kerckhoff Hall Thursday.