Several senators really, really, really wanted the police department to release information about what actually happened at the brawl. It was an illustration of how folks aren’t yet interested in bringing about peace or reconciliation or a deescalation of tensions between the two groups.

Stop and consider for a moment: Why would anyone want the details of the fight publicly revealed? My journalistic nerve certainly clamors for that information, but I also recognize the problems that arise from publication of the events. If the goal is to provide information to punish perpetrators of violence, then the information needs to go to the police department, not the public. Publicly announcing information like this serves only one purpose: public vilification of the opposition group.

The two groups are engaged in a public relations war. They aren’t really calling on folks to take any action to solve a problem, but to simply convince them to take “the right side.” And so public vilification of the opposition is simply an attempt to take political advantage of the situation. This isn’t limited to one side or this example. The competing press releases, which out of respect for humanity I won’t link here, waste no time in claiming racism from evil unprovoked attackers. Extremist news outlets on both sides have picked up these press releases and are trying to control public opinion elsewhere. (So far, there has been no mainstream news interest, which is probably a good thing for Cal)

The fact of the matter is that every attempt to publicly vilify the opposition, every accusation of racism, or refusal to dialogue, or swinging first, or whatever, is an escalation. It attempts to involve those who are not involved, and to do so in a manner that brings them in on a particular side. It sets battle lines that make it difficult for the opposition to do anything but defend themselves by striking back. If they are to be taken seriously as folks interested in preventing these kinds of conflicts, they need to simply stop. Stop trying to convince folks that the other side is evil. Stop trying to extract political advantage. Stop refusing to accept the possibility that maybe, just maybe, the other side is, in fact, acting in good faith.

As I walked on campus early this morning, I didn’t really see or feel or hear much of a change. In fact, it felt like any other day walking down Sproul. The only difference was that the pro-Palestinian students decided to have a little rendezvous right where I wanted to walk. Surprisingly, I first thought it was Greek dancing (which put a smile on my Hellenic face); but then I heard the music, noticed the Palestinian flag, and the convenient location of the celebration located right in front of the Cal Democrats table. I couldn’t help but feel a little annoyed. Maybe this was because not too far down from all the happy dancing were the pro-Israel students, holding the Israeli flag and feeling a little aggravated. This is a great step towards peace and not prejudice. I wonder what else I will witness this week.

I think it’s great that people celebrate their own culture and identity. No one should ever be ashamed of doing so. However, following the recent brawl and the extremely high tensions between these two groups, a better step towards peace could have been less obnoxious today and a little more, well, peaceful. I think this week could be better used if the pro-Palestinian and the Zionist students attempt to come together and reconcile their differences here on campus. I know that isn’t as easy as it sounds, and the fundamental differences in beliefs can be a huge road block, but if the two groups really want “peace” and not “prejudice”, then they should be seizing this opportunity. Call me an idealist, but why shouldn’t they try to reconcile differences (if only for this week) for the sake of peace and not prejudice? And why can’t the two groups come and celebrate together on Sproul? UC Berkeley should be a place of free speech, thoughts, and opinions which people can express without the fear of being harassed. If the pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian groups actually come together in peace, then that would be honoring what this week (and Cal) is supposed to be about. In fact, if I saw that, I may just join in on the celebrating too… although I might end up Greek dancing out of pure habit. It looks similar anyway.

Following up on the graffiti wars of September, and the speaker disruption of October, seeing a balcony brawl as a followup isn’t nearly as surprising as one might hope.

The second floor of Eshleman Hall, by the way, houses the ASUC, which is the student government at Cal, and it is currently in the hands of the pro-Palestinian CalSERVE party. The Palestinian flags appeared from that balcony, apparently after receiving permission from ASUC officials meeting there. As an aside, I think the ASUC should perhaps reflect a bit on how appropriate it is for the student government’s facilities to be used to directly engage in activism to counter the activities of student groups.

The Zionist voice on campus has undergone a fairly dramatic change in recent years, as the Israel Action Committee has been displaced by more active and confrontational groups such as Tikvah. The pro-Palestinian groups have engaged in an opposite shift, moving from occupying buildings to a much more defensive posture, which some pro-Israel groups have been happy to play aggressor to, as was the case when the pro-Palestinian event was disrupted by Zionist activists in October.

So now we have both a sitting and a former ASUC Senator reported as being involved in a brawl. Their party, the SQUELCH! party, which has traditionally been the party involved in bringing common sense levity to overly egotistical ASUC activities, has likely suffered damage to its reputation that will be difficult, if not impossible, to reverse, leaving the student body without the “fight the entrenched interests” option they’ve had for student government. And, of course, pro-Palestinian groups have the perfect public relations victory heading into Peace Not Prejudice Week.

My advice to Zionist groups? Chill. Get a good grasp on what, exactly, it is you’re trying to accomplish at Cal, and target your activities towards that goal. Generically “fighting for Israel” may feel good, but your cause isn’t improved by outbursts of anger. A golden opportunity to question the ASUC’s hostile attitude towards certain groups and causes was blown.

Putting aside the “Us vs. Them” mentality may be a good start. I don’t mean this in the generic, Obamaesque “unity is good” sense. Drawing battle lines of allies and enemies makes sense if you’re actually fighting a battle that involves some form of victory. Conquering land? Us vs. Them. Moving hearts and minds? Not so much. If you aren’t on either side, why would you care about the views of folks whose goal seems to be simply to defeat the opponents? Talking about the importance of freedom and how valuable and rare Israel is in the region for its respect for human rights comes across as empty if trying to settle differences in a much more peaceful and secure place ends in a brawl.

Of course, the Berkeley College Republicans were also there to support the Marines and America against the hateful WCW group.

This picture shows a school teacher with her students passing by chanting “No more War!” They start them young in Berkeley…

Berkeley College Republicans

World Cant Wait protesting on Shattuck Avenue and Allston, while BCR members were standing right next to them chanting “USA! USA!”

Berkeley police keeping an eye on the protestors

The protestors took the streets from Martin Luther King, Jr. Park to Sproul Plaza. They then marched along Telegraph attempting to figure out where they were going. Eventually, they marched back to Shattuck and Downtown Berkeley to congregate outside of the now infamous Berkeley Marine Corps Recruitment Office. It was there that many memorable quotes were shouted such as (but not limited to):

“Why do you support this country?”
“How can you support the Marine Corps?”
“What’s wrong with communism?”
“Did you know that Reagan was a communist?”

To my surprise, they also showed an amount of disdain for President-Elect Barack Obama, one of the most liberal presidents to be elected to office in the United States. Isn’t Obama on your side? When your membership and leadership consists of members of the Maoist United States Revolutionary Communist Party, wouldn’t you think that you have some common ground with the new president to-be? Don’t you think it’s a bit outlandish to attack Obama before he is even inaugurated? I never thought I’d be defending Obama but it’s ridiculous to criticize him when he hasn’t even redecorated the Oval Office yet!

Again, I am amazed by the audacity of World Can’t Wait. They are blind in their hatred to realize what the Marine Corps and the military fight for. They are protesting the very institutions that allow them the right to protest. Yes, you read that last sentence correctly; it doesn’t seem to make sense because their actions are irrational. To members of the military, I must thank you tirelessly for your determination, your honor, and your courage that allow all Americans their rights and freedom. I thank you for fighting fascism and authoritarianism around the world in the name of freedom and what is right.

I’d like to wish the United States Marine Corps a fantastic and happy 233rd birthday. Oorah! Please do know that there are Americans that do support you unlike these crazies. Semper Fi for Corps and Country!

If you don’t know who is in the guys picture, it is Boalt Law Professor John Yoo, who worked for the Bush Administration from 2001 to 2003. He is one of the few conservative professors in Berkeley and the Patriot will be interviewing him on Thursday for the December publication.

Public education hasn’t yet garnered the Obama stamp of approval, it would seem.

B. Hussein and Michelle would rather decide how to spend their own money. The tax-and-spend couple have chosen to choose where their daughters go to school.