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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 3, 2001)
Official discusses protesting rights ■ A former federal mediator will speak at the University about conflict mediation and free speech this week By Amber Fossen for the Emerald Richard Salem, a former U.S. Community Relations Service fed eral mediator known for his role in mediating a potentially violent confrontation between a group of neo-Nazis and American Survivors of the Holocaust in 1976, will speak at the University Wednesday about his experiences and the is sues they raised. Salem’s speech will address the topic, “Should We Mediate with Neo-Nazis?” The University law school’s Ap propriate Dispute Resolution pro gram (ADR) is sponsoring the free event in an effort to explore alter nate ways for communities to han dle group conflicts. “These issues come up a lot in terms of hate speech,” said Lisa Kloppenberg, director of the ADR. The 1976 dispute began when Frank Collin, the leader of the neo Nazi National Socialist Party of America, was denied the right to protest in a Chicago park without a $350,000 bond. The group decided to relocate its demonstration to the small town of Skokie, 111., causing distress among the thousands of Holocaust survivors living in the community. The village of Skokie contacted the Community Rela tions Service of the U.S. Depart ment of Justice, which assigned Salem and Werner Petterson to mediate the dispute. “I think the ‘Skokie-neo-Nazi Conflict’ was special because it at tracted worldwide attention, rais ing issues that people discussed over the next several years,” Salem said. The conflict reached the Supreme Court in 1978, when the court ruled that requiring a bond interfered with the neo-Nazis’ con stitutional right • to freedom of speech. Just days before the demonstration, Salem persuaded the group to conduct its rally at a free speech plaza in Chicago, thus avoiding a potentially violent situ ation. Conflicts over free speech “force us to examine our commu nity and diversity and how to han dle them,” Salem said. The rights of both groups in volved had to be considered be cause of the clash between free speech and personal rights. Jane Gordon, assistant dean at the Knight Law Center, said, “What we can learn from him [Salem] raises a lot of critical ques tions concerning how we ap proach the community.” Salem will address the events of the Skokie-neo-Nazi Conflict and the issues it raised. The speech will cover whether con flicts should be mediated and whether demonstrations should be banned when there is potential for physical or emotional harm. The lecture will begin at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Room 175 of the Knight Law Center. Peace Corps continued from page 1 been in 26 years, Peace Corps spokesman Jim Aguirre said. Through intensified recruitment ef forts on college campuses, Peace Corps officials hope to increase that number by 25 percent this year. “We have more requests for vol unteers than can be filled,” Aguirre said. “This year, we’re doing a big ger push all around to get more people involved.” With more volunteers, Aguirre said, the Peace Corps can make more progress toward goals that in clude fighting hunger, stopping the spread of AIDS, bringing clean wa ter to communities, starting new businesses, and educating children. The demand is particularly great for English teachers, Aguirre said. To teach English in the Peace Corps doesn’t require any special certifi cation — all that’s needed is a col lege degree and a basic knowledge of the English language. For students who choose to go into the Corps after graduation, the rewards can be great, said Skye Mendenhall, the Peace Corps repre sentative at the University. Mendenhall, a former Peace Corps volunteer, said the two-year term provides an opportunity for graduates to try out what they want to do before committing to a specif ic career path. “It's a great stepping-stone in get ting more real-world experience,” Mendenhall said. Cooper knows firsthand what “real-world experience” in a devel oping country is like. As a teacher in the West African country of Liberia, she not only had to deal with obstacles in her work such as crowded classrooms, a lack of sup plies, and inadequate technology, she also nearly lost her life after falling ill with malaria. Despite all the hardships, the contributions she was able to make and the friendships she formed made it all worthwhile, Cooper said. Her work in the Peace Corps made a difference in the lives of the people she was trying to help, but it also left a lasting impact on her own life. Cooper said she left Liberia with a new perspective on the world. “Having your eyes opened like that is incredible,” Cooper said. “It was a life-changing experience.” Students who are interested in becoming volunteers should call Mendenhall at 346-6026. OUS budget continued from page 1 “They can do anything,” Unger said. “Whether the fee thing goes down or not, Wednesday is an in credibly important day.” The ASUO is offering transporta tion for students who want to speak or simply show support for the budget. Vans will leave from out side the ASUO office at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday and return about 4:30 p.m. Vans will also go to Salem next Monday and Thursday at. the same time and same place for legislative work sessions. Unger said if the fee is debated, it will happen in those sessions. Although the work sessions are not open to testimony, members of the committee can ask for input from the audience. Erin Pursell, a former ASUO intern and OSPIRG member, said she will go to Salem to show support for the fee, which she said is one of the most powerful amplifiers of student voice. “It’s the biggest political tool stu dents have,” she said. Student Special: $11.95 large 2-topping & soda Student Buffet: $5.95 All you can eat 1 lam-2 pm, Monday—Friday “Two Topping Tuesday” $9.95 large 2-topping 4pm-l2am FREE DELIVERY! ww\y. tracktownpizza. com I 1809 Franklin Blvd. • 484-2799 The New york Timcs DELIVERED TO YOUR CAMPUS DOORSTEP. THE UNIVERSITY OF OREGON BOOKSTORE Take advantage now of special low campus rates for subscriptions to the $cn> ^ork Hmtsi and have your paper delivered to the Bools tore for pick up Monday through Friday. The rate is 40 cents daily! For delivery beginning April 9th and ending June 8th: Sign up at the Bookstore by Friday, April 6th, 10am. Only $17.60 For delivery beginning April 16th and ending June 8: Sign up at the Bookstore by Friday, April 13th, 10am. 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