Caged up and blindfolded in the Diag, members of the University's Amnesty International chapter used a dramatic technique to attract students' attention to the issue of human rights.
The display drew more than 400 students who signed petitions advocating the release of people Amnesty International believes are politically persecuted.
The cage demonstration was just one aspect of Amnesty Day. Coordinator Kari Nicewander started the event with the consented kidnapping of geological sciences Prof. James Walker during his Environmental Studies 124 lecture.
"I felt we got a really good reaction," said Nicewander, a RC senior. "The professor was very enthusiastic about it." Nicewander performed the kidnapping and Amnesty International member Mary Hollingsworth spoke to the class about the group's purpos
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"I was a little surprised by the method they took, but the information was really worthwhile," said LSA sophomore Jason Henderson, who was present for the kidnapping.
Amnesty International also kidnapped Prof. Steven Rush during his Music Composition 222 class.
"The students were very engaged by the problem, which gave me hope," Rush said.
Through the kidnappings, Amnesty International members hoped to give students a different perspective.
"The purpose is to show people what it's like to have someone you know taken in front of you for no reason," said Russ Jacobs, co-coordinator of the University's Amnesty International Chapter.
The cage demonstration, which lasted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featured an Amnesty International member blindfolded in a wooden cage. LSA sophomore and Amnesty International treasurer Azadeh Shahani said sitting in the cage has impacted her work for the chapter.
"From now on when I am trying to be active for human rights, I can do it with more enthusiasm," she said.
The forum attracted students' attention to make them think about Amnesty International's cause.
"It's pretty dramatic, but it really hit home that someone must be suffering," said LSA senior Mark Valente. "It seems like a worthy cause."
Outside the cage, other Amnesty International members asked students passing by to sign two petitions.
This year Amnesty International focused their forum on the plights of indigenous people facing political persecution.
Leticia Moctezuma Vargas, a teacher and member of the Tepoztla'n community in the Mexican state of Morelos, is being persecuted for campaigning against the construction of a multi-million dollar, government-funded golf course to be built on land that the community considers sacred.
In reaction to her campaign, Vargas, her family and members of the Tepoztla'n community have received death threats and have endured physical abuse.
The first petition asks the Minister of the Interior of Mexico to take immediate action and end their persecution.
The second petition requests the release of Tek Nath Rizal a member of the Nepalese minority in Bhutan. Rizal protested against Bhutanese authorities who required the Nepalese to adopt northern Bhutanese traditions. After fleeing to Nepal, Bhutanese officials arrested Rizal in 1989 and charged him with what Amnesty International calls "sowing communal discord."
Amnesty International's petition asks the King of Bhutan, Druk Gyalpo Jigme, to immediately pardon Rizal.
"Our goal is first to work for these two specific cases," said Jacobs, a LSA senior.
Amnesty International succeeded in attracting attention yesterday, but the group faces additional challenges in motivating students to take action on their own.
"There were some people who expressed that nothing we do could change anything," said Nicewander. "But we are affective at fighting individual cases."
Engineering senior Jeremy Molenda said he was not sure how signing the petition would help, but he still felt inclined to do it.
"I don't know what kind of influence I am exerting in Mexico, but you can't not sign something like that," he said
Jacobs said that under pressure, dire political situations are reformed.
"In about half of the cases, with in two weeks, there is an improvement," Jacobs said.
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| JESSICA JOHNSON/Daily ABOVE: Christopher Robin signs a petition to free political prisoners.
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