Illustration by Cody Angell

Who or what is the University of Arizona Peace Refuge? Oh sure, we've all seen their booth on the Mall protesting the war. And some of us, through no fault of our own, may have even been introduced to them a couple of weeks ago when they staged a die-in in our student union in a desperate attempt to gain publicity.

But do we know who they really are? They claim to be a group focusing on the anti-war movement, but it's time to expose them for what they really are.

They are an anti-American, anti-capitalist group, hiding behind the anti-war movement.

Steve Campbell

Unfortunately for them, this agenda has actually alienated them from other, more reputable, groups that also oppose the war. A member of the Alliance for Peace and Justice in the Middle East recently told me that he advised UAPR against some of the tactics they were currently using.

Here's an example: About two weeks ago, as I walked by their booth on my way to an interview, one of the members shouted out, "Hey, there's Steve Campbell, the fascist!" Not only did it get my attention, but it also got the attention of several others who were passing by at that time. Over the next couple of weeks, I saw this individual yell at numerous people as they walked by. He has since apologized to me, but the damage to his group was already done.

For a while, the group interested me. I stopped and talked to some of the members, but most of the time, the anti-war theme ended up giving way to statements against American capitalism. It was this, and not Saddam Hussein, that was the greater evil.

So what type of government do the members of UAPR approve of? Many of them were in favor of a Marxist government, while others wondered why there should be any government at all.

After several visits to their booth on the Mall, I decided to visit their "24-hour infoshop" located in the Main Library. Aside from the two people who were asleep on the furniture, I was the only one there. At first, I was impressed by all of the literature, newsletters, and information sheets that were available for anybody who came to visit. But then I realized that I had seen most of this literature somewhere else. It had, in fact, come from the "Socialist" booth that is occasionally set up on the Mall near the Eegee's booth. It then occurred to me that I hadn't seen the "Socialist" booth set up in quite some time, and those who normally run the booth were now running the UAPR booth. What a coincidence.

Before leaving the infoshop, I inquired about UAPR's daily meetings that everybody is encouraged to attend. I was informed that I would not be welcome. After explaining to them that the meeting was supposed to be open to everyone, I was told that I should "respect the wishes of others" and not attend.

I have asked to speak with the leader of the group, but was told that the UAPR has no leader. What a surprise.

There is one person, however, that is more outspoken than others within the group. Most have seen him screaming at people as they walk by the booth. Others saw him yelling at people as they ate their lunch during the die-in. He goes by the name of "Sam." He refuses to give a last name for fear of retribution by those who disagree with him. Here's a news flash for you, "Sam" or "Alex," or whatever your name is ÷ get over yourself. You really aren't that important.

Many of the group's members don't even agree with "Sam's" overbearing manner through which he represents the group. "He's just trying to find himself," stated one of the members. "We've addressed the problem in our meetings."

"Sam's" tactics and the anti-American rhetoric by the UAPR have succeeded in weakening the anti-war message that others have been trying to send out in a more constructive manner.

Don't take my word for it, though. Go visit their infoshop and see for yourself. That is, if the 24-hour shop is open. Last Friday, it was closed. The reason? According to a few of its members, several of them had gone to an Anarchist Society meeting in Phoenix over the weekend and there weren't enough people to keep the shop running.