Students learn tools of the trade at 'Activist Workshop'
Melissa Hayden
Issue date: 10/3/05 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The UM-St. Louis chapter of Amnesty International and University Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sponsored the event, which featured speakers Besty Reznicek, a Community Arts and Media Project volunteer; Colleen Tilford, president of St. Louis Animal Rights Team; Ted Heisel, executive director of The Missouri Coalition for the Environment;' Tarah Demant from Amnesty International and Joann Stephan, treasurer of the Missouri Alliance for Animal Legislation.
The first speaker, Betsy Reznicek, discussed her group's involvement in the community. The organization started as several individual activist groups which came together by purchasing the Randall Building in the area of Gravois Park, at the Cherokee Street and Minnesota Street corner. The organization's involvement does not stop with their efforts toward the community. Tthe volunteers also put a lot of work into everything they do in holding their events.
"Everything we do is do-it-yourself," Reznicek said.
Tarah Demant discussed Amnesty International and its visions, specifically to ensure global human rights, the control of arms and putting an end to violence against women.
"Your most powerful tool as a global citizen is your voice," Demant said. "I think the most important thing is to get the information out to people and give them the tools to do whatever their passion is."
Colleen Tilford passed out a demonstration check-list to all of those that attended. The check-list had information for putting together and holding a safe, legal and responsible demonstration. She encouraged students to practice environmentally-sound activism and make sure they clean up any leaflets they bring to their demonstration.
Ted Heisel gave a presentation for the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, covering ways students can make a difference. One way, Heisel said, is to vote.
"(Voting) is the most direct way of making changes," Heisel said.
The last speaker for the event was Joann Stephan. She left a lasting impression on students, telling them Missouri is the puppy mill capitol of the nation.
"I would like students to realize that the situation for animals in Missouri is grim and that their voice can make a difference," Stephan said.
Organizers of the event said they wanted to stress to students that they can make a difference through activism.
"Most importantly we wanted to familiarize (students) with tools and techniques that would help them become empowered citizens," said Daron Dierkes, senior, history, who helped organize the event and arrange for the speakers at the workshop.
"If you want something to happen with anything you care about, you have to be active," said Michele Landeau, senior, history, and coordinator and president of the UM-St. Louis chapter of Amnesty International.
"If you want action, you have to step up,"Landeau said.
Donna Hart, lecturer in anthropology at the Pierre Laclede Honors College and faculty sponsor of USETA, said she was pleased with the workshop.
"This was such a great range of approaches to activism," Hart said.
For more information about these groups, visit the following websites: C.A.M.P. at www.stlcamp.org, Amnesty International at www.amnesty.org, S.T.A.R.T. at www.start.enviroweb.org, The Missouri Coalition for the Environment at www.moenviron.org, and M.A.A.L. at www.maal.org.
The first speaker, Betsy Reznicek, discussed her group's involvement in the community. The organization started as several individual activist groups which came together by purchasing the Randall Building in the area of Gravois Park, at the Cherokee Street and Minnesota Street corner. The organization's involvement does not stop with their efforts toward the community. Tthe volunteers also put a lot of work into everything they do in holding their events.
"Everything we do is do-it-yourself," Reznicek said.
Tarah Demant discussed Amnesty International and its visions, specifically to ensure global human rights, the control of arms and putting an end to violence against women.
"Your most powerful tool as a global citizen is your voice," Demant said. "I think the most important thing is to get the information out to people and give them the tools to do whatever their passion is."
Colleen Tilford passed out a demonstration check-list to all of those that attended. The check-list had information for putting together and holding a safe, legal and responsible demonstration. She encouraged students to practice environmentally-sound activism and make sure they clean up any leaflets they bring to their demonstration.
Ted Heisel gave a presentation for the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, covering ways students can make a difference. One way, Heisel said, is to vote.
"(Voting) is the most direct way of making changes," Heisel said.
The last speaker for the event was Joann Stephan. She left a lasting impression on students, telling them Missouri is the puppy mill capitol of the nation.
"I would like students to realize that the situation for animals in Missouri is grim and that their voice can make a difference," Stephan said.
Organizers of the event said they wanted to stress to students that they can make a difference through activism.
"Most importantly we wanted to familiarize (students) with tools and techniques that would help them become empowered citizens," said Daron Dierkes, senior, history, who helped organize the event and arrange for the speakers at the workshop.
"If you want something to happen with anything you care about, you have to be active," said Michele Landeau, senior, history, and coordinator and president of the UM-St. Louis chapter of Amnesty International.
"If you want action, you have to step up,"Landeau said.
Donna Hart, lecturer in anthropology at the Pierre Laclede Honors College and faculty sponsor of USETA, said she was pleased with the workshop.
"This was such a great range of approaches to activism," Hart said.
For more information about these groups, visit the following websites: C.A.M.P. at www.stlcamp.org, Amnesty International at www.amnesty.org, S.T.A.R.T. at www.start.enviroweb.org, The Missouri Coalition for the Environment at www.moenviron.org, and M.A.A.L. at www.maal.org.
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