Miami Hurricane, March 29, 1996

              http://www.miami.edu/humcane/
The Miami Hurricane?,
FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1996	UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI * CORAL GABLES, FLA, pr mm VOLUME 74, NUMBER
MAR 2 91996
Peace Despite Division
Groups
rally
against
speaker
By CORI JANCKO and IVETTE M. YEE
Of the Staff
Students and University spiritual leaders gathered at noon Thursday at the Rock to speak out against Nation of Islam Minister Rasul Hakim Muhammad's appearance at the Gusman Concert Hall Thursday night. The noon peace rally lived up to its name.
Although a diverse group, the speakers from the University’s religious organizations symbolized the unity among students and leaders and denounced the message of hate the Nation of Islam is often associated with.
Dozens of students listened to messages ranging from love to intolerance of hate while passing out small green ribbons.
“This is not just a Jewish thing. All the organizations are here not to bash or say anything bad about anyone,” said Adi Quintana, School of Communicalions Student Government Senator.
At the peaceful rally, both Jewish and non-Jewish students alike distributed the green anti-hate ribbons along with stickers with the word "Hate" crossed out.
At the Rock, student members of Hillel presented a resolution to University President Edward T. Foote II, condemning the notorious views of the Nation of Islam.
The resolution, aimed at enforcing the idea that students are against Muhammad speaking, was drafted at Hillel during a special meeting attended by more than 20 campus organizations.
“If so many people are unhappy about having Muhammad speak, we want the school to be aware of this, and in the future maybe students' views won’t be ignored," said junior Shelly Sitton, a member of Hillel.
Speakers and students argued that freedom of expression is necessary, but that the University should not have used students' money to fund Muhammad’s speech to the Black Law Students Association.
' "As a Broadcast Journalism major, I totally believe in free speech, but I don’t think our money should go to something like this. Their organization [the Nation of Islam] should fund it themselves,” Quintana said.
Michael Packer, a second-year law student who spoke about the resolution, clapped loudly several times when Arthur Teitelbaum of the Anti-Defamation League denjunced funding hate.
Packer was among the students who felt that the University did not go far enough to condemn the Nation of Islam’s ideals.
"This University should fight against ^jn^one^includin^h^^jatioiMJ^slam^dra^
See RALLY • Page 3
lames Eiselman, So., Alana Starr, So., and Alisha Barnes, So. hold signs while chanting "No Hate" at Gusman before the Minister arrives.
EMILY KEHE/Photo Editor
Minister Rasul Hakim Muhammad, left, encouraged the audience to intelligently discuss racial issues.
SUNE WOODS/Staff Photographer
A student wearing an upside-down antihate sticker on his hat to protest the speaker. FAYE
CAREY/Staff
Photographer
Speaker preaches dialogue, change
By ELAINE HEINZMAN and CORWIN PARKER
Of the Staff
For Nation of Islam Minister Rasul Hakim Muhammad, the reputation of his religious colleagues has caused various groups to negatively judge him before hearing him speak.
Speaking to a packed house at Maurice Gusman Hall on Thursday, Muhammad confronted students opposed to his UM appearance, attacked racial and gender misconceptions and established guidelines to better understand social issues.
Muhammad said that despite people's contentions of the Nation of Islam's inflammatory tendencies, his religion teaches that “peace is not with the aggressors.”
See SPEAKER • Page 3
Student
reaction
mixed
By LOUIS FLORES And MARK PEIKIN
Of the Staff
There was tension in the air last night as hundreds of people gathered outside Maurice Gusman Hall, waiting for Nation of Islam Minister Rasul Hakim Muhammad to arrive.
Some were there to hear his speech on the Million Man March and its aftermath. Others were there in protest.
“[The Million Man March] is by far the most moving event that has happened to us during our sojourn in this country,” said Melissa Robinson, immediate past-president of the Black Law Students Association.
“We are protesting not the fact that this man is going to speak about the Million Man March, but that student money is going to the Nation of Islam for [Louis] Farrakhan to do whatever he wants with it,” said Lauren Levy, a UM student protester.
Students for ot against the event clashed over issues of free speech and the use of student activity fees to help pay for the speaker’s appearance.
“Anyone who has something positive to say about any group of people, especially my people, then by all means let them say it,” said freshman Cherita Johnson.
Other students disagreed with Johnson.
“I am out here protesting to let the school know this in not the way to spend student funds,” said junior Geil Bilu.
Emotions escalated several times as protesters and supporters began yelling at each other.
Third-year law student Ana Gamonal expressed her resentment to the public’s free access to the speech. A V.l.P. list allowed some attendees the privilege to enter before students.
“Security requirement No.l is being violated! Security requirement No. 1 is being violated!” shouted Gamonal, holding her ‘Cane Card in the air.
A security requirements list had been handed out to people attending the event. Security requirement No. 1 states that admission into the event requires a valid ‘Cane Card .
Other students joined Gamonal in protest.
“They are taking up seats we paid for,” said third-year law student Juan Carlos Campos.
As junior Jason Roth waited to get in, he said he hoped students listening to Muhammad would be careful about which messages to accept.
“If people are in there listening, the thoughts are already in their minds,” he said. “I just hope that these people are smart enough to differentiate.”
Students Speakout: Reactions vary from anger to love	photos by Sun£ Woods
“They have the right to say what they want. The Nation of Islam should be able to speak. 1 don’t think that people should be disagreeing with it. It's also not fair that there are no Islamic representations here at the rally.”
Kamal Zaky ___Freshman
“I think that freedom of speech is the most important thing. We shouldn’t be concerned with the bad aspects. We should focus on the positive. UM should be a place that allows free speech."
Susy Rudman Senior
“I think it’s a good idea. You can see different diverse groups joining together to combat hate.”
Laura Weinfeld Third-Year Law Student
i
“I feel that there are many speakers that come to UM to talk about issues that 1 don't agree with or get a vote
on....I don't think that
people should be protesting.”
Duane Crooks Sophomore
“I think the general position is that everyone should be able to speak. But groups that bring in speakers should keep University and student money out of it.”
Sheree Johnson Senior
“It’s important to clarify everyone’s viewpoint. I’m here to make sure that the Muslim culture is clarified because it is different than that of the Nation of Islam." Fatima Siddiqui Pres, of Islamic Society
“I think that judging a person before they even get a chance to speak is wrong. .. And I think that Farrakhan seems to be making a gradual change in his views. People are creating hate before hate can even get here."
Aisha Hines Sophomore
!