About 400 students gathered Wednesday at Founders Plaza to protest Star Wars (SDI) research at UB.
The protest, organized by the Student Coalition for a Free University, and co-sponsored by the College Democrats, attempted to persuade both passers-by and hundreds of students to lend their support in protesting the alleged classified research at UB.
An open microphone was set up for all people to voice their opinions about the Strategic Defense Initiative and SDI research taking place on campus.
Faculty members Jonathan Reichert and Charlie Haynie, along with several students, spoke out against SDI and SDI classified research.
The organizers of the event hoped to bring awareness of the fact that, by engaging in SDI research, the university is engaging in the continued militarization of the national university system, and of society itself.
Adam Hoffman, president of the College Democrats, said, "If President Sample had his way, this entire university would be held hostage by the military through this classified research."
Engineering researches for SDI
Aaron Lercher, a key organizer of the event, explained how William Sarjeant of the electrical engineering department is presently engaged in research that relates specifically to advancing SDI. He said, "SUNY and SUNY researchers must decide on what happens to the results of their research."
"The contract that Sarjeant is working on, however, says that the U.S. Defense Department decides on what happens to the research."
Lercher continued, "Sample and others at SUNY Central fail to acknowledge the fact that the research is classified since the Defense Department has not officially classified it yet. This, however, is irrelevant, since the power of decision has already been given away—in actuality, the research is considered classified, and (thus is) in violation of the SUNY charter."
Tom Mahalak, commenting on the results of the rally, said, "I think we have exposed the misinformation of those who blindly support SDI and, thus, SDI research."
Along with the speakers, the "Two-member Band," "Loving Offender," and members of "Pychedelaise"and "Outer Circle Orchestra" entertained the crowd.
The rally, which went from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., greatly benefited from the warm spring weather but, as Mark Serwinowsko noted, "There seemed to be a growing active participation by the passers-by as the event went on."
The group pointed out that this was merely the first in a series of events to raise consciousness among students about SDI research and the consequences of it.
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