Students for Disarmament

by Robert Linsley

Is nuclear war inevitable? Many of our political and military leaders would have us believe so. The threats, war- mongering and weapons build-ups are increasing in both east and west, and, what is more alarming, there is now open talk of a "winnable'' nuclear war.

What does one do in this situation? Should we simply leave the decisions to our political leaders? Generally, they seem to be raher ignorant, even unbalanced. Personally, | don't feel that

_they ar qualified to decide whether | should live or die. It's a subject I'd like to have some say in myself! And don't doubt it, a nuclear war would come to Vancouver as well. Every town over 25,000 people in North America is targeted by a Russian missile. There are no safe places.

Our society is fragmented. There are so many specialized groups -- artists, politicians, business people, labourers, house- wives, academics, and so on. The result of this fragmentation is the feeling of helplessness and, ultimately, apathy -- the feeling that one person can do nothing to influence events. Yet if the bomb drops, it falls on all of us.

In an attempt to break out of this paralysis and do something effective, to stand up for our right to live, a group of students at UBC has organized a symposium on the arms race. A symposium serves the purpose of raising public awareness. It is only a beg- inning, but it is a beginning which is within our power to make. The emphasis will be on ways in which the ordinary citizen can be effective, and there will also be speakers to provide back- ground information and give the facts about the consequences of a nuclear war. No special interest groups such as political parties or churches will be represented.

Students from Emily Carr are invited to attend. Any contributions of posters, sculpture, performance pieces etc., to enhame the event, are very welcome. Feb. 27 at UBC

Students for Peace and Mutual Disarmament can be contacted at: Box 71, Student Union Bldg., UBC, or contact Robert Linsley (879-6440) or Gary Marchant (278-2885).

See Student Society bulletin board for agenda and speakers list