Last year a couple of University of Oregon students flew to Texas to protest against the Alaskan pipeline project with an organization called the Tar Sands Blockade. After a successful trip, the students and the Survival Center are looking into sending more students down to assist the organization.
The students who went down to Texas felt that they learned a lot and were excited to share their knowledge.
“We were like super empowered to go (the first time) because we had saved money and funded our own trip, but we now want to empower others and send them to Texas so they can experience the project for themselves” a student presenter said.
The small group of students, who is sponsored by the Survival Center is planning on holding an application process for students interested in going so that they ensure participants would be going on the trip with the intent to further their environmental and educational knowledge.
Those students who went last year were trained in non-violent direct action and ways to talk to the police respectfully.
“We would train students here and then go down to Texas and use those skills there as well learn additional things.” a student presenter said. “Since a lot of Tar Sands infrastructure will pass through the northwest it is really ideal to give locals trainings in non-violent direct action and media trainings.”
Some senators were concerned with the lack of fundraising the group had demonstrated.
“I would like to see your group come with a little more funds and a little more background before coming to Senate. I fear that your group came to the ASUO first,” Sen. Chase Salazar said.
Despite Senate generally wanting groups to have fundraised at least 50 percent of their request, some members pointed out that events occurring sporadically do not allow groups to fundraise accordingly.
“I think that this group falls under the mission statement of the ASUO and I think it would be silly to send this group away” Sen. Amy Jones said.
After multiple amendments to the original $1,890 being requested, the motion was passed to transfer $1,080 from Senate surplus to the Survival Center by a vote of 9-5-0.
“It’s important to go now because the construction is happening now and there is already a campaign in Texas that we are looking to support. We wouldn’t want to see this pipeline continue to be built in Oklahoma or somewhere else that wouldn’t have a type of campaign that is established in Texas right now” a student presenter said.