[University Wire - 2/5/02] A festival sponsored by the Hawaii chapter of Refuse and Resist brought antiwar, pro-speech and pro-choice activists together on Saturday at the University of Hawaii Campus Center.
According to an organization flyer, R&R opposes the "United States war moves, all attacks on Arabs and Muslims, and new repressive powers and laws."
"We take up a whole lot of issues. We're very involved in pro-choice, and abortion rights. We're very active in fighting against police brutality, against racism, against the death penalty," said Lis Rees, a member of Refuse and Resist for almost 12 years. R&R members recently participated in the Martin Luther King Jr. March on Jan. 21, said Rees. Also, on Jan. 22, members marched for pro-choice at the state capitol opposing antiabortion groups such as the Hawaii Right to Life antiabortion group.
"We're very pro-choice. We also want people to become political activists, and that's our ultimate goal," Rees said.
After Sept. 11, Rees said that more people wanted to know more about R&R. "We found that there were more people questioning the repression in this country. We're told that security now in the airports is for our own protection, but it isn't true. The government's trying to control us, and it's working," Rees said.
According to an R&R statement, the group was formed in 1987 by artists, lawyers, activists and others who saw an alarming trend in the toward greater state control and repression in the United States. Their founding statement explains: "Some of us strongly believe in the principles and values to which this country has historically aspired; others of us find oppression and injustice to be rooted in these same principles."
There are approximately 20 members affiliated with the R&R Hawaii chapter. Nearly half of the members are students.
Adam Beyer, a sophomore at UH, said that he got involved with R&R because he wanted to become more aware of what is happening in government. He said it is not worth listening to what the media has to report because they never give the full picture, they report what the government wants them to.
Beyer said, "I would suggest that students stop worrying about cell phones and clothing, and all of that material stuff. That's all they do here ... go to the mall and talk on the phone. You know, you try to talk to these people about government and they don't know what you're talking about."
During the festival R&R posted fliers that said Capitalism is the problem! Revolution is the solution, support the people's war around the world. R&R posted other fliers related to local events. One flier referred to a Hawaii police officer accused of drunk driving: "Officer Dan O. Here at the intersection of School St. and Pali Highway, reminding you to be careful out there and please, watch out for the intoxicated off-duty police officers speeding through red lights."
The festival also featured an American Civil Liberties Union talk on the USA Patriot Act, but it was canceled because ACLU speakers failed to show up. A film on the subject was shown instead.
The University Peace Initiative/ Professors opposing war also attended the festival to support Refuse and Resist.
"We're just here to let the community know that UPI-POW are very much alive and working on our efforts for peace and justice," said Ruth Hsu, associate professor of English at UH.
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[posted 2/8/02]
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