Two openly gay and lesbian University students acting on behalf of the Right to Serve campaign and protesting the U.S. military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy were arrested yesterday after staging a sit-in in the Charlottesville military recruitment office.
Third-year College student Wyatt Fore and second-year College student Rachel Miller were arrested and charged with trespassing on private property at approximately 10 a.m. this morning after being asked to leave by recruitment officers, Fore said.
Fore, the leader of the demonstration, said he and Miller returned to the recruitment office today because they were denied entrance to the office Wednesday. They said it was "ridiculous and absurd" to close down the center because of them.
Miller said she was allowed to speak with one of the recruitment officers yesterday, but was denied any of the tests normally administered to potential recruits after mentioning the campaign. However, she said she believes progress was made toward the goal of the campaign.
"People have been trying to lobby Congress for years, and just by showing direct action [with a sit-in] is powerful," Miller said.
Sponsored by SoulForce, the Right to Serve Campaign has spawned a national movement of sit-ins at recruitment centers, Fore said. Currently, 30 U.S. cities have seen demonstrations over the last month from people supporting the campaign.
The protesters "organized a very clear and good campaign, held true to their principles, and made every effort to speak with Congressional reps, students, professors, and community members about why 'Don't Ask Don't Tell' is a bad policy," said Haven Herrin, co-director of SoulForce.
To some, the arrests of the students seemed like a natural response. The demonstrators had been previously warned that if they did not comply with the requests of the recruitment office that they would be arrested.
"It's okay to protest, but after a while it's detracting from what is going on in that situation," said Capt. Ryan Taylor of the University's Air Force ROTC.
College Republicans President Amber VerValin said protesting is not the "best solution" to gain attention for a campaign such as the Right to Serve.
"It's not going to get them the best press, and the center is private property," VerValin said. "It's not an issue of free speech; it's an issue of trespassing. Staging a sit-in inside an office doesn't exactly comply with not causing a problem for anyone."
A representative of the Charlottesville recruitment center was unavailable for comment.
Read More
U.Va. loses over $60 million in federal research cuts
By Bertie Azqueta | 7 hours agoThe impacted grants include three from the NIH, seven from the NEH, one from the United States Agency for International Development and four from the State Department.
Department of Education reverses course, awards Federal Executive Institute to U.Va.
By Ford McCracken | 3 days agoThe ED had previously awarded the institute to Charlottesville City Schools.
Students reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis
By Bertie Azqueta | 3 days agoAt the University, students shared a range of perspectives on his legacy of reform, inclusivity and his impact on the global Catholic community.
