author: Joe Anybody (reposting announcement)
e-mail:
iam@joe-anybody.com
Posted 1.18.10 11:45am
We the student and faculty members of the Center for Social and Environmental Justice and Social and Environmental Justice Club on the campus of Washington State University Vancouver are now meeting in our building of work and learning.
We are here today as a direct response to the police, sheriff and SWAT training that has been scheduled to occur in our building concurrent with the campus's prescheduled Martin Luther King Day events happening elsewhere on campus.
Campus police have "requested" that we vacate the building in order to accommodate this training, ostensibly designed to prepare law enforcement to respond to a Virginia Tech type tragedy.
We feel that this training is in direct opposition to the strategies and philosophy of Martin Luther King. We know that if he were here with us today Martin Luther King would challenge the claim that this type of militaristic civil drill is an effective avenue for addressing acts of violence.
A far more pragmatic and effective response—and certainly more consonant with MLK's commitment to nonviolent social change would be to invest in a fully funded community mental health care system and to challenge the progressive militarism of civil society in the United States.
One of our colleagues with us today is alum of Virginia Tech and completely opposes this training.
Our intention is to remain throughout the day in the building to teach, study and reflect on the revolutionary message of peace, justice, and nonviolent avenues for effecting social change.
--------------------------
Contact information:
Adam Carpinelli:  axc_jumanne@yahoo.com
Taj Mahon-Haft; tajmahal@vancouver.wsu.edu; (509) 432-4556
Sky Wilson: sky.wilson519@gmail.com; (360) 223-1397
--------------------------
"At the risk of seeming ridiculous, let me say that the true revolutionary is guided by a great feeling of love. It is impossible to think of a genuine revolutionary lacking this quality" ~Ernesto Che Guevara
Social and Environmental Justice Club
Washington State University Vancouver
Vancouver, Washington 98686
email: social.environmental.justice@gmail.com
myspace:  http://www.myspace.com/wsuvsejc
|
45 cops with high powered rifles "running around"
SWAT wanted to use building the activists were in ...but moved ops to Admin building
(activists been there since 6am)- SWAT showed up after 6am
The doors are marked (closed) where police are at/inside
Lots of cars and multi agency all over
Activist informed it was just Sheriff agency doing drill (not!)
The Campus Administration is in full co-operation with this drill on Martin Luther King Day
KION - FOX - KATU - were all there and have "LEFT"
...once the corporate press left - bigger guns were out on display
The REAL DRILL is suppose to start around 2PM for a simulated "Role Play"
There may/will be blanks (non-live rounds) fired at this time
The campus is still has open access
I was told to contact a PH number (off the) previous posted alert to have someone meet me if I was going to show up