Preachers infringing on rights of students who wish to use UA Mall

It is with dismay as well as aggravation that I am responding to the article, "Preachers pester Mall crowds" (Arizona Daily Wildcat, Thursday). The invasive, insulting and harassing "preaching" of UA preachers is nothing less than an infringement on students' rights to utilize the Mall area. When Mall preachers take it upon themselves to call women on this campus whores, to refer to Muslims as Satan, and to consistently denigrate homosexuals, there is verbal assault (violence) taking place.

Contrary to Associate Dean of Students Alexis Hernandez's opinion that there is not a real problem with the Mall preachers because, as she (sic) states, "It's not like someone slugged somebody," it certainly is a horrible, hollow and disruptive violence taking place if you are unlucky enough to be a member of one of the groups that Mall preachers are publicly, verbally assaulting. It is nothing less than criminal that homosexuals, women, Muslims or any other group, must endure being verbally assaulted when on the Mall.

This verbal violence could simply come to an end if the Speakers Corner was moved further east on the Mall, perhaps near Cherry Ave., in a location that would be much less invasive than right in front of the Student Union. This way, students who really want to hear specific groups being berated can travel further down the Mall, and those of us who want to enjoy the area in front of the Student Union may do so without being violently, verbally assaulted.

I would strongly suggest that all students who feel that their rights are being infringed upon by Mall preachers call Diane Newman, commercial and Mall activity coordinator at 621-1414 or call Alexis Hernandez, associate dean of students at 621-7059.

By Chris Nielsen (letter)
Arizona Daily Wildcat
February 14, 1997