Alexa Stoczko
Staff Writer
More than 260 motorcycles were parked along Malibu Canyon Road on Saturday, while the bikers and their passengers walked among the 2,977 flags set up on campus in memory of the Sept. 11 attacks. 
The bikers were part of a rally called “Ride to the Flags,” which began at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley and ended at Pepperdine.
The rally benefitted the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a non-profit organization, which gives money to families of severely wounded or deceased veterans. Each biker donated a minimum of $25 to the “Ride to the Flags” event, and their passengers gave a minimum of $10, making an estimated amount of $9,000.
“Ride to the Flags” was organized by senior Ryan Sawtelle, president of College Republicans, who also installed the American flags on Alumni Park with the help of student volunteers. The event was not an official College Republicans event.
Sawtelle’s initial plan was to host a ceremony at the end of the biker rally on campus, which was supposed to include the United States Air Force Honor Guard drill team, a prayer service led by Bikers for Christ, bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace” and an Air Force flyover, according to Sawtelle.
However, the plan for the ceremony sparked controversy between the College Republican leaders and members of the University administration.
University officials prohibited the ceremony from occurring on Alumni Park, citing fears about the number of riders, noise disturbances in the community and on campus, as well as public image. (See “Harley Riders not welcome after 9/11 rally” and “Flags honor heroes” from Thurs., Sept. 11 issue.)
The Department of Public Safety staffed more officers than usual at the entrances to the University in preparation for the event. There was also a Public Safety officer riding a four-wheeler around Alumni Park. Though Sawtelle claims the administration was trying to keep the bikers from entering campus, Public Relations Director Jerry Derloshon disagreed.
“[The bikers] were encouraged and welcomed to come on campus,” Derloshon said. “No one discouraged them from enjoying the display.”
Many of the bikers and local residents said they felt resentment toward Pepperdine’s administration and didn’t understand what kind of image the University was fearful the bikers would portray.
James Sarantinos, a resident of Malibu, said he thought the administration had a misconstrued view of bikers being on campus.
“[The administration] totally misinterpreted that all wrong,” Sarantino said. “It’s a cool thing — it’s motorcycles. They’re not like a bunch of bikers, [such as] Hell’s Angels coming over here to create a big disturbance. [They’re] no more of a problem than the motorcycles usually cause, which is noise anyway.”
Despite the University’s decision not to sponsor an official prayer service on campus, Sawtelle held an abbreviated version of the ceremony.
“We couldn’t plan it the way we originally wanted it, but we said we’re going to still do something,” Sawtelle said. “It’s the right thing to do. We want to give thanks and prayer, and we’re not going to let anyone stop us.”
The ceremony started off with Arielle Verinis singing the National Anthem, who is a friend of the vice president of College Republicans, senior Chris Garcia. After the National Anthem, Derek Rogers, who is the ride captain of the Patriot Guard Riders, spoke about the purpose of the rally and led those present in prayer.
Sawtelle also spoke, and then the ceremony concluded with Verinis singing “Amazing Grace.” Many of the bikers and others present joined in.
Punk-pop singer Pink, also known by her real name Alecia Moore, rode her own bike to Pepperdine.
“This is absolutely stunningly beautiful,” Pink said. “Anybody that took this the wrong way has really got a problem.”
Along with the flags representing the victims of 9/11, The Honorary Grand Marshall Gilby Clark, who is also the guitarist for Guns N’ Roses, said the flags make him think of the war.
“More than anything, this is just to make people aware of what is still going on in our country,” Clark said. “I like seeing young people getting involved and doing things … It does blow me away when you see this many flags and realize that each one represents a life.”
According to Malibu Mayor Pamela Conley Ulich, the placement of the flags was ideal, because everyone shares one way, Pacific Coast Highway, to get in and out of town.
“I think the flags are a very powerful artistic way of remembering 9/11,” Ulich said. “The flags are a living testament of how powerful creative art can be. Art can hit a nerve in all of us.”
According to Sawtelle, many local residents told him they hope Pepperdine does this ceremony every year. He believes the University made a poor Public Relations decision in not supporting the event.
“This whole event had a chance to be amazing if the University simply cooperated or didn’t stand in the way,” Sawtelle said. “Instead, they decided to flex their muscle for no reason and received a well-deserved black-eye in return. A wrong decision will always be a wrong decision, no matter who in authority says it’s right.”
Derloshon said he was present at the rally and enjoyed it.
“[I have] appreciation and gratitude that it ran smoothly, and I’m happy it happened the way it did.”
09-18-2008