Student groups declare Monday Anti-Imperialism Day

Mac Booker, For The Pitt News… Student groups declare Monday Anti-Imperialism Day

Mac Booker, For The Pitt News

Poet Vanessa German exuded anger, much of it directed at President George W. Bush, in her spoken word performance at a Black Action Society anti-imperialism event in the William Pitt Union Monday.

“You are against America,” she said of the president, speaking in front of an audience of almost 60. “You are the weapon of mass destruction right before our eyes.”

A panel presentation by representatives of BAS – and co-sponsors Young Socialists, Students for Justice in Palestine, the African Students Organization, Solidarity and Students in Solidarity – and a discussion that followed were heavy with attacks on the governments of the United States and Great Britain.

“I don’t consider myself an American,” Ryan Scott said. “I am a worker in this country.”

Pizza was served.

Students come to the Union for Coming Out Week

Lisa Cunningham, For The Pitt News

Student and community groups armed themselves with information about HIV and sexually transmitted infections, as well as condoms, to help jump-start National Coming Out Week Monday.

Monday’s reception in the William Pitt Union was just the start of a week’s worth of events designed to provide support for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender individuals.

Rainbow Alliance President Sara Fatell said that the reception was about “the idea of coming out, staying out and being welcomed in a gay-friendly community.”

The Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, the Sixth Presbyterian Church and the Rainbow Buddhists were some of the organizations also present at the event.

The week of activities ends Saturday with a Coming Out Dance in the Union at 8:30 p.m.

Hillel Jewish University Center reaccredited

Adam Fleming, News Editor

The Hillel Jewish University Center received reaccredidation last week from the board of directors of Hillel. Pitt’s center for Jewish students was one of five campuses to receive reaccredidation from the international organization.

Hillel is the largest Jewish campus association in the world, with more than 500 campus foundations, program centers and affiliates.

A release from Jill Lewis, a senior communications associate for Hillel, stated that local foundations “must demonstrate compliance with standards of excellence in the areas of governance, student programs, communications, resources and management systems.”

In its reacceptance, the JUC continued to be among the 72 accredited foundations across the United States and Canada.