Willis Library in an Uproar

(4/22/2008)

DENTON, TX-  |UA| United Aid, after having coffee with Peace Activist Ret. Lieutenant Col. Ann Wright and attending her lecture, organized a non-violent direct action on the University of North Texas.

|UA| Members recruited approximately 30 students to lead a silent protest, with bloody hands through the Willis Library on April 22nd. The students marched silently at first, holding up bloody hands in protest of the illegal invasion of Iraq. The silence was broken when an unknown member started demanding loudly that students get involved in the anti-war movement. A library security guard was called out, the |UA| protesters, being undeterred, failed to stop marching, whereupon the staff member tried to violently halt the protest by grabbing Jacon C. Waite, and twisting his shoulder.

All 30 students, in solidarity with the nonviolent means of civil disobedience, immediately sat down and locked arms. After some negotiation, the protesters began to walk out, whereupon they started to spontaneously chant "we will not be silent." The library erupted into an uproar, with students clapping and cheering the protesters. The UNT police tried to halt the historic protest of the no-violent |UA| members.

However, the protesters continued to chant and rally for non-violence

Once outside, the protesters began to peacefully disperse, however, they were halted by the police and held against their will. After |UA| members were repeatedly harassed and detained, the police simply wrote Waite and Andrew Teeter issued warnings.

|UA| United Aid would like to thank all participants in this act of solidarity and civil disobedience. |UA| also appreciates the patience of all students, library staff, and police. It should be known that the UNT Police acted responsibly and professionally. |UA| is committed to non-violent civil disobedience, and realizes that sometimes we must cause a disturbance to wake people up.