thedrifter
10-04-07, 07:38 AM
Berkeley Marine Center Draws Anti-War Ire
Simon Perez
Reporting
(CBS) BERKELEY Marine Captain Richard Lund recruits college students and graduates as candidates for officer positions in the marines. But carrying out that job in Berkeley is not always an easy task.
He has listened to a variety of complaints from members of the anti-war group Code Pink in recent weeks.
"We are so shocked and horrified that the Marines have come to Berkeley to prey on our children," said Zanne Joi, a Code Pink member.
Last week, the Code Pink group protested by defacing the recruiting center and calling the recruiters liars.
In the face of all this, one might ask why would any recruiter want to come to Berkeley?
Lund says that the office is close to the UC Berkeley campus and a BART station that it is convenient for recruits.
But what about the Berkeley attitude?
"It was a little bit of a consideration," Lund said. "But this is my home. This is America. I'm from the Bay Area. I don't mind being in any city, any neighborhood. To me it's all home."
The Marines did receive a couple of visitors who approve of their presence.
"It seems to me by trying to shut down recruiting on or near college campuses, you're really violating the principles of free speech. And I find that repugnant," said Berkeley resident Nancy Klein. "But we have to be a little bit crazy here, it's kind of our persona."
Lund says the Marine Corps sets goals for each recruiting station based on the number of students who live in the area.
This office recruits about 30 officer candidates a year, which is right at the goal.
Other areas, such as Sacramento, often exceed their recruiting goals.
Ellie
Simon Perez
Reporting
(CBS) BERKELEY Marine Captain Richard Lund recruits college students and graduates as candidates for officer positions in the marines. But carrying out that job in Berkeley is not always an easy task.
He has listened to a variety of complaints from members of the anti-war group Code Pink in recent weeks.
"We are so shocked and horrified that the Marines have come to Berkeley to prey on our children," said Zanne Joi, a Code Pink member.
Last week, the Code Pink group protested by defacing the recruiting center and calling the recruiters liars.
In the face of all this, one might ask why would any recruiter want to come to Berkeley?
Lund says that the office is close to the UC Berkeley campus and a BART station that it is convenient for recruits.
But what about the Berkeley attitude?
"It was a little bit of a consideration," Lund said. "But this is my home. This is America. I'm from the Bay Area. I don't mind being in any city, any neighborhood. To me it's all home."
The Marines did receive a couple of visitors who approve of their presence.
"It seems to me by trying to shut down recruiting on or near college campuses, you're really violating the principles of free speech. And I find that repugnant," said Berkeley resident Nancy Klein. "But we have to be a little bit crazy here, it's kind of our persona."
Lund says the Marine Corps sets goals for each recruiting station based on the number of students who live in the area.
This office recruits about 30 officer candidates a year, which is right at the goal.
Other areas, such as Sacramento, often exceed their recruiting goals.
Ellie