Last night, for the second night in a row, members of MEChA braved chilling temperatures to picket in front of the Kappa Sigma fraternity house.

"The cold unifies us," said MEChA President Tomas Martinez. "Nothing can stop us, not even nature or bigots."

Dimly lit with candles, signs denouncing racism and the fraternity carried the messages of the roughly 20 protesters. Fraternity members casually watched the picketers from their courtyard, front gate and upstairs breezeways.

Cars slowed to see what was happening, some honking to support the picketers. The protesters also discouraged rushees from "rush(ing) for racists."

Martinez said MEChA and supporters plan to rally in front of the house on 1423 East First Street until Friday, the end of rush week

"It's frustrating," said Maritza Broce, Chicano studies junior. "It doesn't seem like we're asking a lot."

MEChA alleges that a Kappa Sigma fraternity member called a Chicano student a "spic" last semester during an intramural speed soccer game.

After two meetings in the fall with the fraternity, Martinez said, Kappa Sigma maintains their innocence.

George Jenson, resident adviser for Kappa Sigma, said "They're looking to use us for political action. They were rude, condescending, and at one point, wanted to squash the issue," he said, referring to a meeting with the incoming and former fraternity presidents.

A hard-to-get appointment with Associate Dean of Students Carol Thompson also yielded no results, Martinez said.

"The Kappa Sig incident is difficult because the member accused asserts that he didn't do it and with the lack of intramurals able to confirm, it's difficult to reach a resolution where everyone is comfortable," said Melissa Vito, dean of students.

But both sides agree that mediation is needed.

"We're striving for a meeting where we can get everyone to sit down and talk about it," said Alex Alcantara, Kappa Sigma member and molecular and cellular biology senior.

Martinez said he was pleased with Vito's cooperation.

Alcantara said he hoped the two sides could meet sometime in the next two weeks.