|
Santa Cruz (CA) Sentinel
June 8, 2003
Protest staged at fraternity
By ROBYN MOORMEISTER
Sentinel staff writer
About 20 protesters gathered in front of the MTV-sponsored Delta Omega Chi
house on Lake Street Saturday afternoon to deliver a strong message: MTV
and frat boys, go away.
The protesters are upset with the fraternity for reportedly taking part in
the killing of a prized koi fish and for their alleged sexist behavior,
such as wearing T-shirts that say "Freshman girls: Get them while they’re
skinny."
Charges of misdemeanor grand theft and malicious mischief were filed Friday
against frat members Casey Loop and Matthew Cox. The two allegedly stole
the fish from a pond at Porter College, killed her and fed her to pledges.
An MTV film crew has been living with and filming the frat members at their
house at 354 Lake St. for a "reality show" to be aired in September.
Protesters say the frat’s spot in the limelight has been egging them on.
"It’s disconcerting that MTV is following these people around with cameras
and glamorizing sexual harassment and cruelty to animals," said protester
Kelah Bott. "That’s not what Santa Cruz is about. If they wanted to film
reality, they should be out here filming this (protest)."
MTV employees did not come out of the frat house Saturday to talk with
protesters who were chanting "Nothing to hide? Let us inside," and carrying
hand-painted signs with messages such as "Fry up a frat boy instead."
"Fraternities have never been a big part of UCSC," bystander and UCSC
computer systems employee Ramone Berger said. "Most students are surprised
when you tell them UCSC has fraternities."
Members of the fraternity were not at the house during the protest— they
had been told to stay away by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, said
deputy Sal Bisagno.
"It was an agreement that was made between MTV and the sheriff’s office,"
Bisagno said.
He and two other deputies stood on the sidewalk to oversee the protest,
which was not violent and lasted about two hours.
Copyright © Santa Cruz Sentinel. All rights reserved.
|