By Glynn Morris Playa del Rey
I must say that I was disappointed and offended by the discriminatory lack of inclusiveness at the SMC students protest as reported by the SMDP on Friday, March 18.
While the main thrust of the gathering of “more than 50 students” was against military recruitment, it was also reported that there were protesters supporting other causes including “anti-war, anti-racism, anti-sexism, and anti-homophobia” but many, many groups were not included and that’s my beef. For example, where were the people representing the anti-transgenderphobia viewpoint, the anti-globalization movement and the Venice Beach walk free speech effort? Also conspicuous by their absence were environmental organizations like those seeking to save the whales, the caribou and the poor naugas who are slaughtered by the millions each year to provide raw material for naugahide furniture.
I would hope that with future protests that the Progressive Alliance organizers will not discriminate and be truly inclusive allowing all to join in the action.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 23, 2005. Read the original PDF.