Grenada

To the Editor of the Crimson:

Tonight I attended the rally against United States intervention in Grenada. At this point. I don't believe that I know enough about the situation to take a firm stand. Based on what I do know, however. I do not completely see the need for the action taken by the President last week. Therefore, I went to the rally more out of general interest than anything else, and was surprised at what I saw and heard.

I was very impressed by a speech made by a sister of a man killed in the coup over a week ago. Her personal account was clear and interesting. It showed personal feeling, but was absent of the bitter over-emotionalism that can bias an argument and make it lose credibility. Most of the other speakers, on the other hand, were practically hysterical, lashing at so many different things, that the main points were almost lost. Was this a rally against Reagan the racist? Was it a rally in the name of complete revolution? I began to lose track.

An anti-rally developed on the steps of Widener with American flag waving students singing "the Star Spangled Banner" and other American songs. Various speakers referred to them as assorted different adjectives, all leading to the idea of immaturity. I am in no position to judge their actions as immature or inappropriate, but I do know that the anti-rallyists did not, while I was there, "drop" to the level of colorful name calling that one Harvard faculty member of the anti-intervention groups did

I was also surprised by one comment made by one of the anti interventions in response to the possibility of a physical confrontation with the pro-interventions. It was to the effect, "If they start anything, don't fight back. Don't drop to the level of the enemy!" Though I admired his desire to maintain peace. I will never regard a fellow student, let alone a fellow American, as an enemy because he/she happens to disagree with my view.

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote that all men have the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" and "Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government." In this framework. I have always believed that rallies are crucial. They provide an important forum for freedom, of expression and an opportunity to educate people. In my opinion, tonight's rally facilitated neither.

As I understand it, another rally will be held in Washington in a few weeks. I honestly hope it is successful and productive and does not become simply a name-calling and finger-pointing arena where anti-Reaganists, anti-Republicans or anti-Americans air their anger. Christopher Schroeder '86