SUNY New Paltz students fight oppression

NEW PALTZ — For the third consecutive semester at the State University of New York at New Paltz, students are presenting the program “Tunnel of Oppression.” This program includes a series of vignettes enacted by students and a march against hate through the town of New Paltz. Both are free and open to the public.

The program will take place on May 5, 6 and 7 from 7-10:45 p.m. in the Student Union Building’s Purple Lounge. The “Tunnel of Oppression” tour takes 25 minutes, and tours leave every 15 minutes. After three nights of presentations, students will lead the candlelight vigil march in remembrance of all those who have died from hate crimes and acts against humanity.

The series of vignettes will address areas of oppression, discrimination, racism, sexism, homophobia, ableism, hazing, religious persecution, gay bashing, domestic violence, child abuse, animal oppression, economic deficiency, lookism, suicide, rape, interracial dating and ethnocentrism. All of the actors in the “Tunnel of Oppression” are students at New Paltz.

Please Note: The content of this program is designed for mature audiences. There are explicit scenes and language that may not be suitable for children under 17. Parental discretion is advised.

“The students who take part in this stimulating and engaging program give it their all,” said residence hall complex director John Agnelli. “They are helping to create safe zones and advocacy for groups that are being discriminated against and oppressed in our society.”

The tour ends with a look at patriotism. The Center for Peace and Social Justice challenges others to think about what it really means to be American, and poses such questions as: Are we all created equal under the blessings of liberty? Can we all live out our own American dream? How has oppression taught us that we can’t? Can you help people who are looking for equal rights (not special rights) live on the same playing field?

Sponsors of this program include the Student Association-funded Center for Peace and Social Justice, the Residence Hall Student Association, and the Department of Residence Life. Additional support is being provided by the Psychological Counseling Center, and the Oasis and Haven programs.

For more information, contact, Jenny Jones, co-founder of the Center for Peace and Social Justice, at (845) 257-4283.