UC Students Needed For City Council Meeting 12/15

12/15 Tuesday; 7PM; Old City Hall (2134 MLK)

During this weeks open meeting, the city council will take a vote on supporting Leland Yee's proposed legislation to democratize the regents. There will also be a vote on demanding that Memorial Stadium not be salvaged, as to do so will violate the Alquist-Priolo Earthquake zoning act.

Public forums such as the open city council meetings are an important settings for debate, resource gathering, and social change. Between the student protesters and non-student activists, this Tuesday's city council meeting should be packed to the brim. It should be a scene of a mass protest; however the students protesters have unwisely chosen not to enter dialogue with Berkeley City Council.

The city's police attack the protesters, the students do not talk to city council.

The city is having a vote on supporting the protesters demands, and the students still will not talk to city council.

This week's city council meeting could be the nexus for larger support, not just from city council members but from the general public. A lawsuit supported by the city could end the financial blackhole that is Memorial Stadium. Greater support for SCA-21 could help pass legislation which democratizes the UC. Members Anderson, Worthington and Arreguin are strong supporters of social change.

But... the protesters have refused to enter dialogue with City Council.

As a non-student activist against the UC, I see a large divide between the students enclosed world, and the greater community of Berkeley (and the Bay Area in general). The students should not keep pretending that the public outside their peer-group does not exist, and that city council does not exist.

A protest inside a bubble is only going to burst. Students, homeless people, workers, homeowners, et cetera all have a common goal.