A silent protest

Photo by Tammy Murray

Not a word was said as the three girls entered the room carrying six humongous pizzas between them.  Still, silence prevailed as the dozen or so hungry students helped themselves to the free offerings.  Did the cat have their tongues?  No, but the cause did.  Wednesday marked the second annual Day of Silence as St. Thomas University students lent their support to Amnesty International.

Emily Peiffer helped organize the event which is designed to help raise awareness and money to the plight of prisoners of conscience, also known as political prisoners.  Peiffer said about 85 students registered for the event which meant they would spend the day in silence as well as writing letters.

“Amnesty does get results; political prisoners are freed because of the writing of letters of individuals like us all over the world.  As well sometimes these letters are able to make it to political prisoners as under the laws of humanitarian law they can receive communication,” she said.

Emily Peiffer, organizer for the Day of Silence. Photo by Tammy Murray

Wearing tie dyed strips of cloth either as head or arm bands students were encouraged to notify their professors in advance of why they would not be speaking up in class.  Peiffer said this is a symbolic act to protest with silence for those who don’t have the right to freedom of speech.

The Day of Silence was held from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm.  The morning session had participants writing letters to political leaders, speaking out on behalf of people like a gay couple in Malawi who have been charged with obscenity and inappropriate behaviour by two males.  Also for women who’ve been imprisoned for peaceful demonstrations and protests in Mexico for trying to get equal rights with men.

“We are uniting together and we are using the banner of Amnesty International… to show the political leaders what the will of the people is,” Peiffer said.

Pizza courtesy of the Student Union "clubs and activities budget". Photo by Tammy Murray

After a lunch of pizza provided for by funds from the Student Union clubs and activities budget, students had the opportunity to play silent games such as charades and Pictionary.  A human rights documentary was shown late in the afternoon to end the day together.

Peiffer is a fourth year Human Rights and Political Science student at STU; she has organized two previous Day of Silence events, one in high school and STU’s first event last year.  She was able to maintain silence for those two events but the logistics this time forced her to speak.  Peiffer plans to study law and/or Latin American studies after graduation so she can continue to help people who are affected by human rights violations.

While there isn’t a definite date set for this event, Peiffer said they’ve been planning it the week following March break so students can collect more pledges.  The exact amount of money raised and letters written was not available at the time of this report but Peiffer is optimistic and hopes the event will continue next year even after she’s graduated.

Prisoners of conscience; this event is trying to make people aware of their plight. Photo by Tammy Murray

“One of the great things about the Day of Silence is that it spurs activism for the rest of the year.  We’re showing people that they have a responsibility to speak out more than just today.” 

Click play to listen.

Short URL: http://www.newbrunswickbeacon.ca/?p=4934

Posted by Tammy Murray on Mar 11, 2010. Filed under News, This Week's Edition. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.