In response to anonymous racist threats against Black and Asian students at UWRF, we the students organized an Anti-Hate Rally and March which we conducted on Monday, November 2, 2009 the date of the threatened racist action. Participants were asked to wear our school color red as a sign of solidarity with the threatened students.

We had a good turnout. A number of members of the wider River Falls community, including the Mayor, were also in attendance. Several speakers spoke movingly of their emotional reaction to the racist threats, and also of their determination not to let such threats deter them from getting their rightful education. After the speeches, we marched around campus and many students shouted their support. It was the most inspiring event I have witnessed while attending UWRF.

Many thanks to the Campus Police, and also River Falls PD. Their substantial and visible presence helped to reassure everyone that law enforcement takes the issue of equal protection under the law seriously. Perhaps we really are making some progress in this country, after all.

On October 20th, 2009 the Union of Democratic Progressives sponsored a Week of Action event at the UC Patio, featuring s'mores and T-shirt spray-painting. The idea was to promote the worldwide International Day of Climate Action event on Friday, Oct. 23. Although the Patio lights were not working and participants had to work in the dark, the event had a good turnout. Everyone seemed to be having a pretty good time. I know I enjoy anything that involves chocolate and fire!

Today the UWRF Week of Action kicked off with the Sextival. This event was sponsored by a student organization called RiSeUp for Women's Rights. We had a couple tables with free condoms, popcorn, sex education info, prizes, and a petition for our legislators to support real sex education in our public schools, not just abstinence-only "education."
It's so important for people to have access to this kind of information!

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

       

Click here to download:

UWRF_Week_of_Action_Sextival_t.zip (3991 KB)

It's really great to see so many people turn out to support the cause. Another nice thing was the substantial show of support from police officers, many from River Falls and several from Prescott.

On a darker note, some people spoke about their personal stories of losing loved ones to domestic violence. Terribly sad, and it really reinforces the seriousness of this issue.

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

                   

Click here to download:

Turning_Point_Domestic_Violenc.zip (13095 KB)

TurningPoint is a domestic violence victims' advocacy and shelter group. The UWRF student group RiSe Up for Women's Rights is also here to help support the event. Despite the cold, rainy October  weather, there's a good number of people turning out for the event. Power to the People! Seize the Day: Stand up for Your Rights!

-- Sent from my Palm Pre

                   

Click here to download:

TURNING_POINT_Walk_Against_Dom.zip (9404 KB)