MSA, SAPAC sponsor self- defense workshop The Michigan Daily -Thursday, April 19, 1990 - Page 3 Students protest lack of street signs by Diane Cook Daily Women's Issues Reporter Following two years of reviewing police records of reported sexual assaults and descriptions of perpetrators, Robert Williams combined his knowledge of self- defense techniques with his image of the sex offender and has since taught people how to defend themselves in workshops called Adventure Spirit Training Program. Williams, who conducted a workshop for about 20 women in the Pond Room of the Michigan Union last night, said that his workshops focus on the perpetrator's actions, rather than on those of the victim "Violence is when one person establishes and exploits power over inother person," he said. Williams said it is important to consider mental response to assault. "If you have your mind on a situation, it can be the most powerful weapon for your defense," Williams said. But he said people are constantly practicing a form of self-defense in their everyday lives. "People adjust their body stance, facial expression and tone of their yoice all the time according to women have an edge over men. He stressed the fact that the impact of a woman's kick is "harder than the average male boxer can punch." "Most women have very strong legs. You know, the big thighs, the big gluts that everyone is so upset about. Well there's a lot of power there," he said.. Williams said one thing for a person who is assaulted to consider is that all of a person's vulnerable body parts are exposed. "When people fight, we have a face and a head like a catcher's mitt. Any blow goes straight to the brain," he said. Following the discussion section of the workshop, Williams demonstrated moves and the audience followed along. In conclusion, the audience sat in a circle and Williams asked everyone to close their eyes. He asked participants to visualize themselves performing the moves. Williams has several certificate in the martial arts and spent two years studying aspects of perpetrators by combing through police reports of sexual assaults in Austin, Texas. Frank Krajenke Daiiy Staff Writer About 20 residence hall students protested at the corner of Washtenaw and Huron last night over a lack of signs warning cars to watch for pedestrians. The students want the city to in- stall a light or a sign warning drivers before the curve. The students carried signs read- ing, "Slow down, dangerous curve" as they marched back and forth across Washtenaw, while Ann Ar- borites positioned themselves on the corner and observed the protestors. Mike Bilecki, a first-year LSA student, said the protest was orga- nized to "get better signs to protect people crossing. It's a blind corner - a sign that said, in flashing lights, 'dangerous cross walk' before the corner, how much could it cost?" he asked. Mike Sebaly, LSA sophomore, agreed: "It's really dangerous as there is nothing to slow cars down." Cheryl Werner, first-year LSA student, was passing by during the protest and said she agreed with the protestors. "I think it is great. I am sick of cars whizzing by. It's hard to see around to corner," she said. While Joseph Nosse, Engineering sophomore, agreed with the groups goals, he disagreed with their method. "I agree with something needs to be done. It is a problem. We need a light. I have almost been hit a couple of times, but its danger- ous to protest (here). Thank God the cops showed up (to protect the demonstrators)." Vince Wilk, LSA sophomore said the current sign fails to alert drivers to the pedestrian crossing. "Twice a day you hear cars screech- ing to a halt," he said. There are signs which hang above Huron which alert drivers to the crosswalk. "Adding a light, especially for peak hours, would help," he added. Students who are most effected by the inadequate amount of signs are residents of the Hill Dorms: Stockwell, Alice Lloyd, Mary Markley, Mosher-Jordan and Couzens, Bilecki said. Korean Riots Two riot police are surrounded by the flames of firebombs hurled by students yesterday during clashes after anti-government and anti-US rallies at Konkus University. About 1,000 students with firebombs fought against riot police using teargas. Lesbians, gay men find 'niche in group If you have your mind on a situation, it can be the most powerful weapon for your defense' Robert Williams energy being directed at them by other people," he said. "Most of the ways we change ourselves are unconscious. The changes are done for self-defense," he said. "What we look at is making use of them in a conscious way." He said that for physical defense, The self defense workshop, sponsored by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center and the Michigan Student Assembly Women's Commission was part of SAPAC's programs for April, Rape Prevention Month. Call 763-5865 for information. by Ian Hoffman Daily Staff Writer Finding a niche in a community of 35,000 students is no small ac- complishment. But for lesbians, gay males and bisexuals at the University finding a niche often seems impossible. Enter David Horste, Jerry Galea and the East Quad/RC Lesbian, Gay Male and Bisexual Social Group (LGMBSG). "We want to provide a network ~ for lesbians, gay males and bisexuals in a non-bar environment," said Horste, a Residential College (RC) senior and co-organizer of the group. "Too often the social scene revolves around the bar or political issues." Horste said when the group was first founded they decided not to use the word "support" in their title be- cause of the its negative connota- tion. He added, "Rather we are a so- cial group made up of supportive people." Horste, a resident director in East Quad, founded the organization in the fall of 1988. Today, he and Galca, an East Quad resident fellow and LSA junior, organize the group's meetings. Horste said while an average of 25 students attend the weekly Wednesday night get-togethers in 'I am considered one the most 'out' people on campus, but the words 'I am gay,' didn't pass my lips until I was 22' - David Horste Organizer Lesbian, Gay Male, and Bisexual Social Group East Quad there are about 60 stu- dents, faculty and staff who partici- pate in the group from time to time. The participants are an equal mix of men and women said Horste. LGMBSG conducts a variety of activities. "Sometimes we discuss issues such as what does it mean to be gay, gay marriages, homophobia or gay culture," said Galca. "Sometimes we cral awareness about gay males, les- bians and bisexuals and contained in- formation about AIDS. While the group welcomes any- one, Galca said joining the group often involves more than just show- ing up. "A number of people are scared to come - they tell their roommates they're at the library or something. It can be a nerve-racking experience for someone just coming to come out to." First year RC student Joe Ash is one of those students who has come out after joining the group. "Once I could see there were other people out there I felt more comfort- able," Ash said. "By verbalizing things to Jerry, I was verbalizing things to myself." Ash, Galea, and Horste all said they feel lucky East Quad and its res- ,jnts support LGMBSG with money and meeting space. "No other building will take the risk to host a group like this," said Galea. Ash felt the same way. "There is no designated space on campus where we can share," he said. "It's too bad no similar resources like this exist in other halls." But Mary Lou Anticau, building director of South Quad disagreed. "We had a support group in South Quad about two years ago," she said. "I definitely would support a another group. Our only problem would be finding space for them to meet." WTHE LIST What's happening in Ann Arbor today Meetings Socially Active Latino Student Association - 7:30 p.m. in Angell Hall Rm. 221 Earth Day Organizing Committee - meeting at 7 p.m. in Room 1040 Dana Bldg. Michigan Video Yearbook - meeting at 7 p.m. on the fourth floor of the Union Amnesty International - cam- pus group meeting 6 p.m. MLB 2012 UM Cycling - team meeting and rollers riding 6 p.m. in the Sports Coliseum Ann Arbor Libertarian League - meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Dominick's Palestine Solidarity Committee Meeting - meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the International Center Tagar - meeting at 8 p.m. at Hillel Society of Women Engineers(SWE) -meeting and end of the year party with comedian Tom Franck at 6:15 p.m. in 1013 Dow Speakers "The East German Churches and the New Revolution: A Peaceful Uprising Against Communism" - Bernhard Ohse speaks at 4 p.m. in Lane Hall room 200 "Domestic and International Diversity: Challenge to the University and the Country" - a round table discussion at 4 p.m. in 361 Lorch Hall "Lessons from the Ancient Forest: Earth Wisdom and Political Activism" - Lou Gold speaks at 8 p.m. in the Auditorium of the Natural Science Bldg. "Parental Strategies in Hadza, Ikung and Other Societies" - Nick Blurton speaks at 4 p.m. in the .E. Lecture Room on the 3rd floor of Rackham "Strategies for Simultaneous Detection and Estimation for Unknown Signals" - Alfred 0. Hero speaks at 4 p.m. in EECS 1200 "Beyond Steering and Focusing with a Sampled Aperture: Phase Aberration Correction in Medical Ultrasound Imaging" Matthew O'Donnell speaks at 11 a.m. in 1504 GGBL Furthermore Women's Club Lacrosse - practice 4-6 p.m. in the Coliseum (5th and Hill) Northwalk - the north campus night time walking service runs from 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. in Bursley 2333 or call 763-WALK; the last day of service will be April 24 with service restarting in September Safewalk - the night time safety walking service runs from 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. in UGLi 102 or call 936-1000; the last day of service will be April 24 with service restarting in September ECB Peer Writing Tutors - peer writing tutors available for help on papers 7-11 p.m. in the Angell/Haven and 611 Church St. computing centers Free Tutoring - for all lower level science and engineering classes 7-11 p.m. UGLi 207 The Threepenny Opera - Bertolt Brecht's work will be presented by the School of Music's Musical Theatre Program at 8 p.m. in the Power Center Arnold Jacobs - the tubist will conduct a master class from 4:30-8 p.m. in the School of Music's McIntosh Theatre (1100 Baits Dr.) Music at Midday - Biza Sompa brings Congolese host social events like showing movies or hosting dances." He added that when the movie Torch Song Trilogy was shown the group's meeting room was filled to capacity. LGMBSG's Gay Aware- ness Dance two weekends ago, which was open to people regardless of sexual orientation, drew more than 150 participants. LGMBSG exhibited a controver- sial display case in East Quad last month. The display promoted gen- Horste agreed that it is hard to be gay at the University. "I am consid- ered one the most 'out' people on campus, but the words 'I am gay,' didn't pass my lips until I was 22," he said. But he added, "It's a lot easier to come out when you have someone The .Dalv~ 21 " . - ~:' (\Q~ &0 ~N~~~((' >'Ge I-l ---.i mmmmmim ,rG Qr G s yid .s'tu :..n r~ d-jmjvelD'f jr pofo- 'w Ir a " " ,