Photo by Erin Day

Jackson speaks at rally against CCRI

Over 750 students, faculty and staff gathered in front of the Speaker’s Platform for a rally, highlighted by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, against Proposition 209, the California Civil Rights Initiative.

The proposition, if passed, would end affirmative action programs statewide for women and people of color.

CCRI would affect students and staff on campus because it would eliminate minority and women’s studies and cut funding for women’s sport teams. It could mean the loss of the women’s resource center and the rape crisis center. Laws protecting women could also be dramatically weakened, according to the Stop Prop. 209 campaign.

Post-baccalaureate student Audrey Gutierrez turned out despite the intense heat, for the event to show her support against Prop.209.

"If the California Civil Rights Initiative passes," Gutierrez said, "no matter how qualified I am to enter a graduate program, (university officials) don’t have to let me in just because I’m a woman."

"I really like Jesse Jackson, so I wanted to come out here and hear him speak because he’s very dynamic and a great motivator," she said.

"I believe in affirmative action but I never stood up for it," Joe Garza, a film major, said. "But now after hearing Jackson, it feels good standing up for it."

However, not all students were aware of the proposition and were drawn to the rally by Jackson.

"This has opened my mind and leads me to explore the issue more," junior Melissa Marting said. "A lot of times you have stuff (on the ballot) that you don’t even know what you’re voting on."

Freshman Brandy Griggs said she came out to hear Jackson talk about CCRI because she wanted to learn more about it.

"It affects me a lot, being that I’m part of a minority," Griggs said. "That’s why I’m out here, to listen to him talk about it and find out what’s going on."

Near the conclusion of his speech, Jackson urged unregistered voters to come up the platform where members of the College Democrats would register them. About 25 students took up the offer, among them freshman James Olidem.

"I wasn’t registered before and (Jackson) made a lot of points that really made sense. You can’t do anything if you’re not registered," Olidem said.

"Our goal is to register at least 100 students today," Patricia Salazar, president of the College Democrats, said. "Jesse Jackson helps our cause by inspiring people to start getting active on campus, stop the apathy and start making a difference with the issues that do make a difference."

"We’re running a vigorous campaign here on campus," she said.

Jackson ended by urging all students present to take an oath: "I declare I am a registered voter. If I am lying, I hope I will flunk my exams, never get a job and never win the Lotto." Students responded with laughter, applause and a standing ovation.

Although Jackson made it a point to say, "Affirmative action is not a black-and-white issue, but a right-and-wrong issue," there were still some students who just sat and listened with some apathy.

It was all but impossible to hear or see anybody nearby who was in favor of Proposition 209.