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Volume 40, Issue 10.
February 25, 2003
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Impending war unites student activists
By Carly Schorman
Mesa Legend
A divide was growing between student life and political interest. On-campus
political clubs were nearly extinct at MCC.
Students have traditionally been the force behind liberal or radical causes
and concern over a possible U.S. led war has contributed to the reemergence
of many left wing groups composed heavily of younger members of the community.
Many of these political groups came together Feb. 7 and 8 in hopes of
finding a way to unite. A “teach-in” was held at ASU where various
clubs and organizations could meet, exchange ideas, and learn more about
their own concerns and the concerns of others.
Possible war with Iraq was a dominantly discussed subject at the event
but there were also classes and lectures on a broad range of other topics
such as globalization, animal rights, women’s rights, and alternative
media in addition to many others.
Students and non-students traded, sold, or gave away buttons covered in
slogans. Tables lined the hallway outside the Farmer Education Building
where the teach-in was being held. Each table was covered in propaganda,
pamphlets, petitions, and much more.
Clubs displayed their causes so that others could find something they
would want to be involved in. Some displays attempted to do no more than
to let others know about problems exists that the general public is not
aware of.
One such group, the Phoenix Anarchist Coalition (PAC), has been operating
in the valley for roughly three years. Although PAC’s members span
an age gap of decades the majority are in their 20s.
PAC often serves as a jumping off point for many other groups.
Announcements and plans for activist groups like Food Not Bombs, Indymedia
Committee, and others are frequently included in the agenda which is laid
out in the beginning of each weekly meeting.
Because PAC is an anarchist organization, thereby, opposed to designated
authority, the meetings are led by alternating facilitators chosen by
the group at each meeting.
Another political group, the Young Democrat Socialists (YDS), has seen
not only a rise in numbers, but a return to the MCC campus.|
Ryan Tapscott, president and founder of MCC’s branch of YDS, founded
the chapter but then left the United States for a year to live in France.
When Tapscott left, the group disbanded.
Tapscott’s return to MCC’s campus also brings the return of
YDS who operate in conjunction with the ASU chapter.
Both PAC and YDS have different goals and different ideas about how to
achieve those goals, but both groups ultimately have the same goal—to
change society.
Whereas YDS “works within the system to change the system,”
PAC seeks to unite those outside of the system thus making a new one entirely.
At events in the Phoenix area it is not uncommon to find both members
of PAC and YDS working with people from other organizations to accomplish
the same task.
“We love to work with the anarchists,” Tapscott said. The separation
lies beyond the cause much of the time.
“You need to sacrifice your views a little . . . negotiate,”
explained Tapscott.
Despite differences in the two factions, at the ASU teach-in, members
were able to focus on the same challenges.
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CARLY SCHORMAN/MESA LEGEND
Global activist Starhawk, signing books at ASU teach-in.
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Well known activist, author, and self-proclaimed witch Starhawk, was
a keynote speaker at the teach-in. Starhawk is a prominent figure in the
anti-globalization movement who points out the need for political groups
to unite to create a “web of justice.” Standing in opposition
to groups like the World Trade Organization and policies like the North
American Free Trade Agreement Starhawk shares responsibility for organizing
and strategizing activist events, such as the recent anti-war protests.
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