PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Carnegie Mellon Group Campaign against Activist
by Daniel Papasian Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2003 at 11:02 AM
dpapasia@andrew.cmu.edu (email address validated)

My experiences after having stood up to the confrontation at DU

There's been a lot of fuss lately at Carnegie Mellon, so I've decided to make my stance clear.

On Sunday, I joined a few other protesters in standing across the street from DU. I never went on their lawn, I never vandalized any property, and my face was not covered. After awhile of standing there and listening to their pro-war shouts, their shouts turned violent. We were told that "we are bigger than you" and "don't you know we can kick your asses?" At this point I could tell that a lot of people around me were uncomfortable because of these threats, so I extended the peace sign to the group with one hand, and the middle finger with the other. Perhaps not the most mature response, but given the fact that we were being threatened with bodily harm I felt that some response was needed.

I have not felt safe since this Sunday. One of the people at the pro-war rally has formed a "For America Now" club, and in emails he has sent to a public bboard he has referred to protesters as "Daniel and his cronies." I feel that I am still being singled out because I took the time to stand up for what I believe in and have defeneded my actions publically. Given the fact that the physical threats issued on Sunday were never retracted in any way, I have no choice but to feel that the continued singling out of myself is a continuation of the physical threats against my person.

That being said, I also serve in the Carnegie Mellon Undergraduate Student Senate. Part of my job is recognizing clubs and approving, when appropriate, funding. I received an email regarding this For America Now club. Given the fact that I still feel threatened by many of the people who are presumably, on some level, affiliated with this club I sent an email to the founder of FAN to let him know that for as long as his group appears to be harassing an individual (in this case myself) for his political views, it may be difficult to obtain recognition.

In retrospect, it was inappropriate for me to say this (true) statement, as I am a party to the conflict and it reeks of bias and suggests that I cannot be impartial. However, it was not a threat against getting the group recognition. Personally, if the harassment ends and I once again feel safe, I have no problem voting for a civilized pro-war political group; Carnegie Mellon's campus is generally apathetic, and the more political groups the better. But for as long as I feel that I am the victim of harassment, I would have to abstain from any such vote due to personal involvement, and believe that many senators would be opposed to recognizing a club that spends its time harassing Carnegie Mellon Students.

I would like nothing more than to clear myself of any personal involvement of this issue. I have already arranged to not be present when For America Now comes before my committee for recognition. However, it will not be this simple. Considering the threats from Sunday were never retracted, and I was singled out afterwards, I still feel unsafe to go near Delta Upsilon. Also, there is now a movement coming out of the For America Now / rally at DU crowd to get me impeached from senate for improper behavior, despite the fact that I have officially removed myself from personal involvement with the group. This is personal harassment and I highly doubt that if I were any other Senator, merely giving them advice as to not make it seem like their group was supporting harassment, that the response would not have been anything near a campaign to impeach. This is a political action due to my political beliefs, and has nothing to do with how or what I have said.

That being said, there was a thread on indymedia recently as to why protesters wear banadanas/masks to hide their faces. I can see now, in retrospect, why that is: to be able to maintain a normal life free of conflict when the protests end.

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