Protesters of the Pacifica Forum tried a new tactic Friday when the group gathered in Agate Hall: They kissed.
The University moved the Forum to the Baker Center in March, but because of scheduling conflicts, the last three out of four Forum meetings were held on campus.
Demonstrators held the “kiss-in” to show their support for love, not hate, said University student and kissing participant Cimmeron Gillespie.
The “kiss-in,” which consisted of about 14 protesters sitting in the audience kissing one another, pausing occasionally to change partners, made Forum members visibly uncomfortable.
“Do you have the slightest clue what you guys are protesting and doing?” Pacifica Forum member Dawn Coslow asked loudly during the demonstration.
ASUO vice president-elect Maneesh Arora also attended the Forum’s meeting as a protester; however, he did not partake in the “kiss-in.”
“I think it’s an interesting form of protest,” Arora said. “It’s not violent, and it shows the protesters are about love and not hate.”
At the previous Forum meeting, protesters set off several stink bombs. DPS issued five citations and the Eugene police arrested one protester on an outstanding warrant in response to the incident. Several DPS officers were present at Friday’s meeting.
“It certainly is a peaceful protest and as long as (the protesters) are being safe, I think it’s interesting,” Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students Paul Shang said.
Shang attended the meeting because he wanted to be involved with student concerns about the Forum.
“I would wish that people would feel like they don’t have to participate in these particular activities,” Shang said. “I think this group that people object to, (Forum members) want to attract an audience.”
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Protesters support love, hold ‘kiss-in’ at Pacifica Forum meeting
Daily Emerald
May 16, 2010
Ivar Vong
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