Editor,
For thousands of years universities and public spaces have been the natural ground for the expression and debate of philosophical and political ideas.
It was so in the Greece of Socrates and Plato, it was what brought light to the Dark Ages, and it has always been the safest environment to move us forward in the world of ideas.
Since Saturday, a group of people have been meeting on the corner of Central Avenue and University Boulevard. The location was chosen over other options partly because of its central location and traffic, but also because many of us feel at home on UNM’s grounds as current or former students.
We placed ourselves away from classrooms and main corridors on campus to allow normal campus life to continue while offering and encouraging everyone in the institution to share their ideas. We have also presented our commitment to UNMPD to maintain a drug- and alcohol-free environment, promote non-violence, respect the property and work with them to promote public safety.
The exponential growth of the assembling group is proof that Albuquerque residents are in need of a space like this to express their social concerns and contribute solutions. The general assembly has already debated and voted on a number of proposals, and there are more coming every day. We thank the support of students, teachers and neighbors and encourage their participation.
While it is out of the question that UNM belongs to all of New Mexico’s tax payers, we acknowledge UNM’s administration of the campus and are happy that it is allowing this public debate to take place on UNM premises.
We want to thank the UNM community for unofficially letting us stay on the beautiful hill of the southwest corner of UNM.
Sebastian Pais
Alumnus
Former ASUNM Senator
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