Group decries enlistment methods
Parents
need to know their rights, Peace Fresno says
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Andrew Riggs / The
Collegian
Peace Fresno marched
on a Navy recruitment office in downtown Fresno Saturday. Among
the protesters was Nancy Skeen, who used to work in Henry Madden
Library. |
By Douglas Sulenta
The Collegian
A group of more than 50 demonstrators
gathered in downtown Fresno on Saturday to protest the No Child Left Behind
program and its clause that allows military recruiters access to the personal
information of high school students.
Peace Fresno, a local organization which advocates peaceful solutions
to world problems, organized the demonstration, which started at the Fresno
Unified School District Office at Tulare and P Streets and marched its
way to the Navy recruitment office a block down the road to Van Ness Avenue.
“We’re here today to publicize the fact that the No Child
Left Behind Act requires school districts to release the names, addresses
and telephone numbers of its students to military recruiters unless those
students or their parents opt out of having their information released
by making that request to their school district,” said Ken Hudson,
vice president of Peace Fresno. “Our purpose is to publicize the
fact that people have a right to opt out of having their information released
to military recruiters.”
In order to “opt out” of having their names given to recruiters,
high school students or the parents of the student must fill out a form
stating that they do not want the student’s information released.
Emily Adolph, a sophomore at Clovis West High School, attended the march
with her father, Jeff Adolph, and said she is displeased with the obtrusive
activity of the military.
“Students aren’t presented with this information, so there’s
no way they could know of these rights.”
Her father agreed.
“I think it’s really important for students to realize they
have the right to say no. A lot of times they’re not being presented
with all the information as to what their rights are.”
He said that the military recruiters are not honest and they promise kids
a host of benefits that they will not be able to deliver.
Steve Ratzlaff, a Mennonite pastor, said he was there to show his opposition
to the war and the action the military is taking to coerce young people
into joining the military.
“I’m concerned about the over-militarization of our country
and the fact that military recruiters have access to the names, addresses
and phone numbers of high school kids any time they want it,” Ratzlaff
said. “I sort of decided I needed to say something about it.”
Above all, the group said it wanted to make clear that their purpose is
to inform people that there are alternatives to having their information
readily volunteered to military recruiters.
The Navy recruiter on duty at the station where the protest ended said
he was unable to comment.
Fresno State students on campus reacted Sunday.
Chris Lowe, who is pursuing a master’s degree in chemistry, said
he remembers when he was in high school and a military recruiter called
him.
“I wondered where he got it (my phone number),” Lowe said.
Jessica Savopolos, a senior majoring in chemistry, said she doesn’t
see any difference between college recruiting and military recruiting.
“Schools can get your number,” she said, “so why can’t
the military?”
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