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Event to encourage political involvement
Represent! aims to foster critical thinking through workshops, forums
by Adam Foxman, October 23, 2003

UCLA students will have a chance to discuss the war on terrorism with the former ambassador to Iraq, watch a documentary with the man who directed it, and go to a free concert Friday – all while eating free food.

The event, called "Represent!" is free for anyone who registers to vote at the event or is already registered to vote, and is meant to promote involvement in the political process. It will take place at the UCLA Hammer Museum from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"Represent!" will also include forum discussions and workshops.

Speakers include former Iraqi ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV and Robert Greenwald, the director of the film "Unprecedented" – a documentary about the 2000 presidential election.

Wilson is currently involved with an investigation into a leak that exposed his wife as an undercover CIA agent. At the time, Wilson was questioning claims made by the Bush administration that Iraq had obtained uranium from Nigeria. Greenwald will be speaking about and showing his film.

In addition, there will be four other workshops throughout the afternoon.

Matt Kaczmarek, the external vice president of UCLA's Undergraduate Students Association Council, will lead a discussion called "Attack on Access: Education Under Fire." Apollo Alliance – an organization that works to bridge the gap between labor and the environment – will have a workshop, and there will be a spoken word and poetry workshop.

Wilson will lead a discussion on the war on terrorism and opportunities for student activism. He will be joined by Michael Cox, a fourth-year political science student, and Michael Coffey, head of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.

Cox, who founded the UCLA chapter of Nuclear Free, said the forum is meant to help people think objectively and critically about U.S. foreign policy.

"(Students) will have to bear the weight of (foreign policy) decisions, so we have to get involved in the democratic process now and have an influence now," he said.

Musical groups that will be performing include Aceyalone – an underground MC, Mia Doi Todd, Breakestra, a funk-orchestra and several DJs.

The Hammer Museum looks forward to opening up its doors.

"The museum is really interested in being not just a place for art, but a forum for intellectual discussion and debate," said Steffen Böddeker, spokesman for the UCLA Hammer Museum.

"(The workshops) give students an opportunity to talk one-on-one to people like Joe Wilson who have been involved with politics for a long time," said Sarah Stifler, head of public programs for the Hammer Museum.

"This is a unique opportunity to get involved in a more direct way," she said.

The event is sponsored by The Rolling Thunder Democracy Tour, Temple Bar, Apollo Alliance and Retain Our American Rights.

Originally published by the Daily Bruin.

Learn more :: Media Coverage :: Event to encourage political involvement