The September 11th attack
3,000 UH students, faculty and staff stage unity march
By Jennifer Hiller
Advertiser Education Writer
In a display of unity seldom expressed on a college campus, thousands of University of Hawai'i students, staff and faculty members yesterday wore white ribbons around their left arms and marched to remember the victims of Tuesday's terrorist attacks.
Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser
"We came out just to show our support and see the university community come together," said Alvin Cabatingan, who works in the housing office and helped pass out ribbons. "This is something we haven't seen before."
Members of the University of Hawai'i community marched in memory of the attack victims.
Students took a break from their classes to join the walk, drop spare change and dollar bills into Red Cross collection cans or sign up for a campus blood drive.
Melissa Arriba, a 24-year-old marketing major, said she was on her way to class but joined the march instead.
"Even though we're way in the Pacific, I feel it is affecting every one of us around the world," Arriba said. "It's not just a U.S.A. crisis; it's an international crisis. I want to give what I can."
Steven Goldsberry, an English professor, brought his creative writing class to the march. "This is a historical moment, and I thought they should be a part of it," Goldsberry said. The line of participants stretched blocks, and those toward the end of the line were unable to see those at the start. Attendance was estimated at 3,000. "This is amazing," Goldsberry said.
Some students walked quietly, others talked about friends in New York and some discussed the more mundane issues of classes or work. A few tried to figure out exactly what the white ribbons symbolized. Some suggested solidarity, but one student disagreed. "It's like our candle," he said.
Participants also wrote messages to New York on a large piece of white, heavy paper, the brainchild of service learning coordinator Atina Pascua. Pascua said she wanted to help people express their emotions.
The march and vigil started at Varney Circle, traveled down McCarthy Mall and circled around campus back to Bachman Hall, where people bowed their heads to pray and clasped hands for a moment of silence.
At the end of the ceremony the crowd, unsure of what do to next, impulsively sang "God Bless America" before walking slowly back to classes and offices.
Reach Jennifer Hiller at jhiller@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8084.
