The A.S. Council passed a resolution Sept. 26 “”condemning acts of terror upon the United States, requesting the prevalence of justice and the rule of law and denouncing hate,”” as the title stated.
Warren Sophomore Senator Kevin Hsu proposed the resolution in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center.
The bill was labeled “”Item of Immediate Consideration”” for the council and voted on Wednesday night. It passed unanimously.
Hsu wrote the resolution because of the potential for hate crimes aroused by the religion and ethnicities of the suspected terrorists.
“”Immediately, there were Muslim groups in Los Angeles who received attacks,”” Hsu said.
The bill states that “”hate crimes, hate language, violence, blame and/or defamation directed against persons or groups associated, through grievously false logic and presumption, to the acts of terror is a violation of the tenets of equality, liberty and justice upon which our nation stands, as well as of the Principles of Community of UCSD.””
The A.S. Council plans to take action to prevent hate at UCSD.
“”In the language that it is right now, [the resolution] pledges that the A.S. will commit all resources possible to fulfill the promise of a hate-free campus,”” Hsu said.
Hsu submitted the resolution to the council Tuesday morning. However, the council was already aware that Hsu planned action on the topic. Hsu was deeply affected by the tragedy.
“”I expressed to the council in an e-mail that some sort of support should be made,”” Hsu said.
Hsu and A.S. Vice President Internal Jenn Brown sent out an e-mail to student organization leaders two days after the attack, asking them to promote a hate-free environment at UCSD.
“”Hate is hate, bigotry is bigotry, and racism is racism, no matter the circumstances,”” the e-mail read. “”UCSD is not isolated from the world and not protected from hate crimes. As members of Associated Students, we denounce all hate crimes and language on our campus.””
“”I felt that it was important for the A.S. to take an official stance on hate crimes and speech on our campus because it is important to protect the sanctity and security of our university community,”” said A.S. President Jeff Dodge.
The A.S. Council is sponsoring a candlelight vigil Thursday at 8:30 p.m. in the Price Center.
The event is a “”nondenominational event to share in grief,”” according to fliers posted around campus.
“”I’m extremely pleased with the ability of the student body as a whole, specifically student organizations, to mobilize in this time of national tragedy behind the efforts necessary to make a difference,”” Dodge said.
Hsu thinks the resolution is a step toward a hate-free campus.
“”I see [the resolution] as a statement of action as well as a statement of purpose,”” he said.