Maroon

              The Maroon Loyola University New Orleans FRIDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2002 VOL. 81, NO. 5 MAROON.LOYNO.EDU Protesting the war in Iraq By Curie Veronica Jones Staff writer Law Professor Bill Quigley returned from a trip to Iraq last Friday, but instead of spending his Saturday sleeping off his journey, he joined about 20 people in a protest on St. Charles Avenue against the looming war on Iraq. He continued sharing his message Tuesday night when more than ISO people turned out to listen as he recounted his journey to Iraq. Quigley was part of a sixperson group that made the trip through the national organization Voices in the Wilderness, which opposes U.S. bombing in Iraq. His group met with Christian and Muslim leaders, United Nations officials, workers in universities and hospitals, and even a CNN crew that included Wolf Blitzer. Quigley's group was able to deliver medicine to people in Iraq. In addition, he was able to spend time speaking with them. "The most amazing thing I saw was not a single person shake their fist at me. We talked to hundreds of people. Only one person said they loved their president. By seeing these people, I saw they are just like us," said Quigley. He said many of the Iraqis were afraid of the impending war with the United States. STAFF PHOTO BY CHARLES COSTELLO STAFF PHOTO BY PAMELAH HOWARD Bill Quigley, far right, recently returned from Iraq, braves the rain Saturday to lead a protest rally with other anti-war protestors in front of Loyola. Those present held signs and attempted to persuade the opinions of passing cars. LUCAP faces opposition By Jeremy Cook Staff writer Loyola students returned to Lafayette Square last Sunday despite recent protests by the surrounding community. The Loyola University Community Action Program's Hunger Relief Program feeds and converses with the homeless of the area. This past Sunday they intended to do the same. In recent weeks Central Business District resident Kevin Kelly, 8'77 has blamed the program for an infestation of rodents in the area and accused them of inviting drunks into the neighborhood who urinate, defecate and vomit on the premises. "The students have been fed a pile of garbage concerning the homeless situation," said Kelly. "It's a shame that it appears that it is coming from the staff at Loyola. I believe they are doing harm to the homeless by enabling them to use their money for alcohol and drugs." Bridging the Gap returns to campus By Meredith Griffin Contributing writer Lessons from the past are bridging the way to the future Diversity. When we think of diversity, images of the turbulent sixties pop into our minds as if our generation experienced them ourselves instead of seeing them through newsreels and videocassettes. Average Americans like to think that they are far away from the violence and prejudice of the world, but as the recent events at the Loyola law school show, the students are not as far removed as they like to think. According to  Caryn Winters, political science junior, in 1993, Loyola began a program called Bridging the Gap, an organization designed to break down prejudices among students. By working with student organizations and the campus, Bridging the Gap organized various soup and substance events, multi-cultural events and open forums for student discussion. In the spring of 2000, many diversity programs on campus hit a snag. At the Airband Competition during Greek Week that year, several members from an on campus sorority made racial slurs against a fraternity. Word of the airband incident spread quickly to the administration, but it wasn't until several hundred students participated in a peaceful sit-in that any action was taken against the sorority. In the wake of the sit-in, the university showcased several guest speakers and events in order to quell the increasing irritation over their handling of the incident. "Bridging the Gap was a cornerstone in this process, having numerous contacts and previous experience in the handling of such matters. Since 2000, the amount of diversity programming has decreased," said Winters, president of Bridging the Gap. Despite its importance. Bridging the Gap seemingly disappeared the next year. There was little to no programming and the organization faltered when those involved found themselves overcommitted and unable to spend the necessary time with Bridging the Gap, said Winters. Still officially recognized by the university but inactive in the extreme, Bridging the Gap's absence in student affairs led to a sharp decline in guest speakers and multicultural events. But this year, primarily due to the events of Sept. 11, Bridging the Gap is back, and stronger than ever before. Winters says she is excited about rejuvenating the program, but admits that there are problems. "When you're restarting from scratch, which we are, it's a little difficult," she says. Bridging the Gap has already See DIVERSITY, Page 6 See QUIGLEY, Page 4 See LUCAP, Page 5 ghgh Lights, Camera, Action Movie reviews of The Banger Sisters and Red Dragon LIFE AND TIMES, pg. 6 Nothln' But#et CHECK THE WEB Mr '"- 4, NEXT WEEK....Diversity Part 11, Student Health Volleyball ranked #1 SPORTS, pg. 13 ly_vv ■WB