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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 22, 1985)
editorial 4 jgj- ’ * Sanctuary movement stands for justice We would like to think that the administration of Presi dent Ronald Reagan would offer protection to refugees who have fled political persecution in Central America. But despite its awareness of death squad atrocities in places like El Salvador, the Reagan administration has launched a crusade to crush the church sanctuary movement and to deny political asylum to refugees. There are reasons for the action taken by the Reagan ad ministration. First, it is the U.S. government that backs the military dictatorships that Central Americans are fleeing and second, the sanctuary movement and the refugees they house have been critical of U.S. military and economic policies in Central America. However, despite the arrest of more than 60 refugees (mostly Salvadorans and Guatemalans) last week and the federal indictment of 16 people involved with the sanctuary movement, church leaders have vowed to continue the struggle to offer protection to Central Americans fleeing military dictatorship. We commend the efforts of the sanctuary movement to stand up to the Reagan administration in defense of Central American refugees. Although President Reagan has declared that refugees housed by the sanctuary movement are fleeing poverty rather than political oppression, the facts dispute this assertion. Since 1980, Amnesty International, Americas Watch, and other human rights organizations have documented more than 30,000 civilian deaths at the hands of the military in Guatemala and El Salvador. It is no coincidence that almost all of the refugees housed by the sanctuary movement come from these two countries. The Reagan administration seems to be spending a lot of time and effort to arrest and deport refugees housed by the sanctuary movement, even though they make up only a frac tion of the estimated 500,000 Central Americans illegally in the United States. In the words of Steven Cooper, a lawyer for the sanctuary movement in San Benito, Texas, “the Reagan administration fears that having Salvadorans around, publicly available to speak, will make the American public more aware of the atrocities in El Salvador and the U.S. government's complicity in them.” Student search rule is wrong answer to problem It is being touted as a better way to bring down violent crime in public schools and to get the drug problem under control. But the recent 6-to-3 decision by the U.S. Supreme Court giving school authorities more power to search students when there is “reasonable suspicion” goes too far. The idea hinges on the belief that school officials will be “reasonable” in determining what is susoicious. If thev are not “reasonable” (whatever that means), then what we will have is a legal excuse for school officials to harass students and invade their privacy, bringing schools further in line with authoritarianism and less with education. This is not to say that students are innocent when it comes to pushing drugs or resorting to violent crimes on school property. But denying constitutional rights in school that are guaranteed outside of school is not the right answer to the problem. When reasonable suspicion exists, it is better to call the police and get a search warrant rather than give a free hand to school authorities to determine how, when, and where a student should be searched. Editor Managing Editor News Editor Editorial Page Editor Photo Editor Sports Editor Sidelines Editor Entertainment Editor Assistant Entertainment Editor Night Editor Associate Editors Administration Higher Education Politics ASUO Student Activities Community Features Michele Matassa Mike Sims Michael Kulaga Costas Christ Michael Clapp Brent De La Paz Sheila Landry Kim Carlson Mike Duncan Michele Matassa Jolayne Houtz Michael Hosmar Paul Ertelt Julie Shippen Stasia Scarborough Cynthia Whitfield Lori Steinhauer Reporters: Sean Axmaker, Dave Berns, Robert Collias, Diana Elliott, Thomas Henderson, Allan Lazo, Capi Lynn, Scott McFetridge. News and Editorial 686-5511 Display Advertising and Business 686-3712 Classified Advertising 686-4343 Production 686-4381 Circulation 686-5511 The Oregon Daily Emerald is published Monday through Friday except during exam week and vacations by the Oregon Daily Emerald Publishing Co., at the University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, 97403. The Emerald operates independently of the Universi ty with offices on the third floor of the Erb Memorial Union and is a member of file Associated Press. General Staff Advertising Director Production Manager Classified Advertising Controller Susan Thelen Russeli Steele Vince Adams Jean Ownbey Advertising Sales: Laura Buckley, Tim Clevenger, Jen nifer Fox, Marcia Leonard, Rick Martz, Nancy Nielsen, Laurie Nobel, Roberta Oliver, Brett Pickman - Intern, David Wood. Production: David Bryant, Kelly Cornyn, Storml Dykes, Julie Freeman, Kathy Gallagher, Dean Guernsey, Susan Hawkins, Ross Martin, Karin McKercher, Lauri Neely, Kel ‘ Neff, Curt Penrod, Tamye Riggs, Michele Ross, Alyson mmons, Peg Solonika, Tim Swillinger, Colleen Tre ne, Hank Trotter. OiPWBNKSSER. Stuoa of iwaNiURy ' PAR T&O INTIMATE AlDSUSSESM ASWKE,#K.SHUU2—mmXHm, IP >tXl PtHASE!' letters Neglected In a recent Register-Guard ar ticle concerning the number of foreign students represented at the University of Oregon, I noticed that the African students (whom I admit are a small number) were not mentioned. In the Emerald (ODE, Jan. 17) there was another article con cerning the number of foreign students represented on cam pus. Once again, to my dismay, I noticed that the African students were totally neglected. Don’t the African students (who actually represent a whole continent) qualify towards be ing part of the University’s 1,264 foreign students? How come they have been overlooked? Regardless of how many there are, is it only fair to give African students recognition, whether or not there are “business links” with their home countries? After all, doesn’t each inter national student contribute financially and culturally to the University’s environment? Rose Shebero Concerned foreign student Peoples9 rights “Censure” (sen’shar) an ex pression of blame or disap proval. To criticize severely; to blame. Censorship is not a clear cut issue as Mr. Siegal (pres. ACLU) would suggest. One does not have the right to yell fire (the “spoken Word,” as he so eloquently put it) in a crowd ed theatre, any more than the Marines have the right to yell war in a crowded world. The Marine protest was a censure by the people of an authoritarian power. As our forefathers pointed out, this is not only a right but a duty as a citizen. If the people don't assume their rights, the authoritarians will. As Mr. Siegel pointed out, history has been filled with book-burners and goon (death) squads supported, mostly, by such uncensured fascists as Hitler. Duarte, the KKK, and the CIA. In 1974, with the direct support of the CIA, General Pinochet was able to censor over 5,000 Chilean people out of existence. Pinochet is still in power because of military sup port from the United States. If you ever have the chance to see a SNUFF film, a porno-flick in which Asian women are literal ly dismembered and murdered with a pair of pliers, you may realize that the issue is not black and white, but white, male, and authoritarian. People, take your rights before they are taken and used against you. Tom Dierker Eugene Safety issue I was walking around campus with a girlfriend of mine last weekend showing her the sites and bragging about our beautiful trees, etc. when we passed through the graveyard. I was explaining the prevalence of rape in and around campus and I mentioned how I thought it was a shame no one had ever installed security lighting in the cemetery. (I grew up in the country. We had a security light which was bright as day and my Dad used to mention how cheap it was to operate.) It seemed to me that 4 or 5 strategically located lights could make that area a lot safer for everyone. My 1 _ friend innocently asked, “so, why has no one had it done?" Frankly I didn't know what to tell her. I mentioned I’d heard rumors that the University wanted to move the graves so the area could be developed, and that I had no idea who could do such a thing, that is, the city or the University. I wonder, who would be able to allocate (collect?) funds towards such an improvement? Why has nothing like this been done in the past? Surely no one would doubt the merits of such a project, and think of the in creased safety for everyone. Who has the responsibility for this kind of public work? Is it possible someone out there has the authority to bring about such change and for some reason isn’t exercising their responsibilities? I wonder if the Emerald would take this on as an investigative project? I know that those I have discussed this with would greatly appreciate answers to these questions. Logan Dhonau Psychology Consistent While you’re willing to de fend the “right” to abort (kill) children in the womb, you con demn people who destroy buildings where abortions oc cur (ODE, Jan 16). You’re being hypocritical. While I personally oppose blowing up buildings, I’m not going to impose my par ticular values on those who don’t share my viewpoint. If you would take a similar position you would be much more consistent, and the basis of your defense of legalized abortion would be much more valid. Lori Parkman Eugene letters policy The Emerald will attempt to print all letters con taining fair comment on topics of interest to the University community. Letters to the editor must be limited to 250 words, typed, signed and the identification of the writer must be verified when the letter is turned in. The Emerald reserves the right to edit any letter for length, style or content. Letters to the editor should be turned into the Emerald office, Suite 300, EMU.
