LAUREN MORTON-FARMER
Staff Writer
Almost two weeks after protesters took to the streets of Los Angeles to speak out against new immigration laws, students are still fired up about it across campus. Half a million people, including several Pepperdine students, voiced their opinions in downtown Los Angeles, and it has not stopped there.
Protesters were demonstrating against HR 4437, a bill passed by the House of Representatives that would make living in the country illegally a felony.
Students have been painting the Rock with slogans expressing their views, but some students say the Rock was wrongly repainted after students used it to express their beliefs.
The Rock was first painted on Thursday night, with an anti-HR 4437 slogan, which was painted over by Friday morning. The rock was repainted later Friday afternoon.
“The first painting [that] stated “No on HR4437,” displayed a quote from the Statue of Liberty that said, ‘Give me your huddled masses,’” LSA president Artie Calhoun said. “The second painting stated, ‘Under HR4437, Jesus would be arrested’ and displayed the April 10th date for the protest.”
Calhoun said this quote was used to express that Jesus would have helped the displaced, which would make him an accomplice in any felony committed.
Calhoun said everyone in LSA has a different opinion on the issue and the group did not organize the painting of the rock on any occasion. Still, Calhoun said he thinks it’s important students communicated their views.
Sophomore Andy Canales was also moved to speak up about the message on the Rock.
“Many of us that oppose HR 4437 were upset that some individuals who disagree with our views defaced our message on the Rock on Friday morning,” he said. “We played by the rules and did not do anything of the like to their message on the rock on Thursday. It’s shameful that there are [those kinds] of close-minded, disrespectful people at a Christian institution.”
Senior Maria Lorena Suarez helped paint the Rock the first time and was hurt by the “vandalism” but appreciated those who repaired the message. “Later that day a few people, I don’t know names, changed it back. [They] understood how personal this issue was to us who painted.”
Junior Adrian Lomas said he was upset that the Rock was defaced by people who disagreed with the anti-HR4437 message, even though he is for the bill.
“People are not adhering to the rules of painting the Rock. Let the other side speak their mind,” Lomas said. “Disrespecting the message the first group of students painted on the Rock is a clear indication of how the second group is afraid to see both sides of the story.”
Sophomore Jesse Calvillo, vice president of LSA, said he is glad to see his peers taking stands.
“It’s good to see a little political and social debate and split at Pepperdine,” Calvillo said. “I think it’s important to not only know what’s going on in our world, in our country, in our state and in our cities like now, but to be actively involved on deciding where you stand.”
Lomas has taken action in response to the painting, posting on the Freedom Wall relevant excerpts from the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which explains the changes made to immigration laws 20 years ago, but he also started the “People for Stronger Immigration Laws” Facebook group.
“I started [it] in response to the Rock being painted and some of the comments I read in the last issue of the Graphic,” he said. “I wanted to make the information available to anyone who is interested. My intention was to show both sides of the story.”
Lomas’ parents immigrated legally from Juarez, Mexico, and gained U.S. citizenship around 1969.
“Much of what I say may seem like I don’t know what it is like to have family in Mexico or to be a first generation Mexican-American,” Lomas said. “I am proud of my heritage, but my first loyalty is to my country. It is the source of the rights I have and the freedom I enjoy.”
Calhoun has said the LSA would like to plan a debate to hear both sides but that it is still in the idea stages.
“LSA hopes to educate all Pepperdine students about the bill, encourage everyone to take a stance for or against the bill,” Calhoun said. “[We] encourage everyone to do their research because, like it or not, this bill will affect everyone.”
According to Calhoun, April 10th is the National Day of Action & Rally for Immigrant Rights, and more demonstrations may be held.
“It will recognize that the USA is a nation of immigrants and April 10 is a massive rally to stop the anti-immigrant House Resolution 4437, stop all attacks against immigrants and stop criminalization of immigrant communities,” he said.
The LSA plans to inform others of upcoming events surrounding HR 4473 through word of mouth and e-mails.
04-06-2006