Students at UCLA Protest

More than 200 boisterous UCLA students and civil rights activists marched through the Westwood campus Thursday, some saying that Proposition 187 would subject them to unwarranted racial stereotypes.

At a rally after the march, Miya Iwataki of Californians United Against Prop. 187 decried what she saw as the creation of “an environment ripe for racism” by “save our state” proponents.

Many students echoed her fears.

“I question what my standing in this society will be if 187 passes,” said premedical student Oscar Martinez, who says his father is an undocumented worker.

“The general public can’t tell the difference between an illegal immigrant and any other person of color,” said English major Ryan Masaaki Yokota. “I personally stand to lose a lot if this passes.”

Sponsored by the October Student Movement and Californians United Against Proposition 187, the demonstration was intended to inspire students to “take ownership of the issues . . . and understand the politics and coalitions working against us,” said student organizer Alyssa Kang.

“It’s important to fight for social justice on campus and in the community,” Kang said.

Angel Cervantes, local student representative of Californians against the measure, said the day’s events at UCLA were part of a coordinated statewide protest and voter registration drive taking place simultaneously at 20 other university and high school campuses, including USC, Pasadena City College and Franklin and Central high schools.

Carrying protest banners and signs, the marchers called attention to their demonstration with horns, drums and makeshift rattles crafted from soda cans, pebbles and masking tape.

Pushing through the corridors of Murphy Hall of Administration, the students demanded a statement from Charles Young, chancellor of student and campus life, indicating the university’s position on the proposition.

An impromptu chant of “Come out Chuck! Now!” erupted as the students waited outside the locked glass doors of Young’s office.

After a brief wait, Lyle Timmerman, acting assistant vice chancellor of student and campus life, stepped out to tell the marchers that Young was not in the office and that UCLA officials do not comment on such issues “unless they are directly related to the university.”

But opponents of Proposition 187 say that the measure would violate the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, resulting in the loss of federal funding for financial aid and other programs for California schools and colleges.