UCLA students will have a chance to discuss the war on terrorism
with the former ambassador to Iraq, watch a documentary with the
man who directed it, and go to a free concert Friday ““ all
while eating free food.
The event, called “Represent!” is free for anyone
who registers to vote at the event or is already registered to
vote, and is meant to promote involvement in the political process.
It will take place at the UCLA Hammer Museum from 2 p.m. to 9
p.m.
“Represent!” will also include forum discussions and
workshops.
Speakers include former Iraqi ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV and
Robert Greenwald, the director of the film
“Unprecedented” ““ a documentary about the 2000
presidential election.
Wilson is currently involved with an investigation into a leak
that exposed his wife as an undercover CIA agent. At the time,
Wilson was questioning claims made by the Bush administration that
Iraq had obtained uranium from Nigeria. Greenwald will be speaking
about and showing his film.
In addition, there will be four other workshops throughout the
afternoon.
Matt Kaczmarek, the external vice president of UCLA’s
Undergraduate Students Association Council, will lead a discussion
called “Attack on Access: Education Under Fire.” Apollo
Alliance ““ an organization that works to bridge the gap
between labor and the environment ““ will have a workshop, and
there will be a spoken word and poetry workshop.
Wilson will lead a discussion on the war on terrorism and
opportunities for student activism. He will be joined by Michael
Cox, a fourth-year political science student, and Michael Coffey,
head of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.
Cox, who founded the UCLA chapter of Nuclear Free, said the
forum is meant to help people think objectively and critically
about U.S. foreign policy.
“(Students) will have to bear the weight of (foreign
policy) decisions, so we have to get involved in the democratic
process now and have an influence now,” he said.
Musical groups that will be performing include Aceyalone ““
an underground MC, Mia Doi Todd, Breakestra, a funk-orchestra and
several DJs.
The Hammer Museum looks forward to opening up its doors.
“The museum is really interested in being not just a place
for art, but a forum for intellectual discussion and debate,”
said Steffen Böddeker, spokesman for the UCLA Hammer
Museum.
“(The workshops) give students an opportunity to talk
one-on-one to people like Joe Wilson who have been involved with
politics for a long time,” said Sarah Stifler, head of public
programs for the Hammer Museum.
“This is a unique opportunity to get involved in a more
direct way,” she said.
The event is sponsored by The Rolling Thunder Democracy Tour,
Temple Bar, Apollo Alliance and Retain Our American Rights.
For a schedule of the program’s events, go to
www2.hammer.ucla.edu/programs/3/.