This is dire, I'll get right to the point. As you may know, in nine days, Dick Cheney is coming to speak to BYU's graduating class of April 2007.
Here in the reddest county of the reddest state, a large group of progressive students has decided to come together to raise our voices against Cheney.
Our initial protests against Cheney were seen in newspapers nationwide. To provide an avenue for constructive criticism on the day of the actual commencement, we have planned an alternate commencement to follow Cheney's speech.
Ralph Nader has been invited and contracts have been signed. He will be attending, pending the procurement of an indoor venue.
Pete Ashdown, sole democratic challenger to incumbent Republican Senator Orrin Hatch in the 2006 Utah Senate election, and former Amnesty International director Jack Healey have committed to speak.
However, our resources are limited. We have secured some funding from local progressives and students, but it is not enough.
Sponsoring a large event with distinguished speakers on such short notice is very time-consuming and costly. In order to bring our speakers out to Utah and secure a venue we have to raise $18,250 in less than ten days. Through hard work and many generous donors we've already been able to secure a significant amount in a few short days, but we still need your help. Please support us by making donation through Paypal* at our website, or by sending cash or check payable to the "Gene and Charlotte England Education Fund" at Zion's Bank, 1060 North University Ave. Provo, UT 84604. A donation from you of $50, $100, or $250 will make it possible for us students to accomplish our goal and 100% of it will directly support this event.
Please feel free to get in touch with me if you have any questions, ideas, or if you know anyone who might be interested in contributing. We also encourage you to learn more on our website, tell your friends about the alternative ceremony, and attend on April 26th. Thank you so much for your consideration and for helping make this event possible.
As a diarist and longtime reader of this site, I have seen the generosity and power of it's readers time and again.
Our alternative commencement will make a powerful statement when Cheney comes. It will send a bold message to this nation- that even in Provo, Utah, people see Cheney for what he truly is.
(Email and for Paypal donations)*
Ashley Bledsoe on behalf of
BYU STUDENTS FOR AN ALTERNATIVE COMMENCEMENT
htttp://www.byualternativecommencement.com