Today a self-proclaimed radical political student group will find out if ASUNM is going to fund its request for an arsenal of assault weapons it claims it needs for self- defense.
The Rebel Alliance, which according to UNM's Web site is an organization dedicated to fighting the evil empire by means of advanced psychological warfare, is much more than that, its members say.
Robert McGoey, the organization's secretary of homeland absurdity, said the alliance is dedicated to defeating the white supremacist state. He said the student group, which has been a part of UNM since 1999, figures that UNM has so much money that they would try to get a part of it.
"There is so much research going on at UNM supporting the development of weapons for the military, why should the University mind if we arm ourselves?" McGoey said. "It's the responsibility of UNM to devote some money to support the opposition of the government."
ASUNM, the governing body of all student organizations, will spend the next week doling out portions of its yearly budget to the different groups that have put in requests for necessities for the next year.
The Rebel Alliance is seeking more than $1,600 for six SKS assault rifles, training on how to use the weapons and two instructional videos.
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McGoey said the training would come from Albuquerque's Anarchist Black Cross Federation, a group advocating the freedom of all political prisoners in the United States by any means necessary.
Ben Tucker, another of the alliance's six members, said he has checked ASUNM's regulations and he didn't find any rules against a student group owning firearms.
He said the group would gladly store the weapons with UNM's Police Department when not using them to conform to any University rules.
UNMPD Lt. Mike Young said the Rebel Alliance's plans are unlikely as UNM laws prohibit any University community member, aside from police officers and ROTC programs, from possessing firearms on campus.
The Rebel Alliance has published an underground newspaper and political pamphlets and has organized several film series on campus. The alliance also sponsored a small attempt to boycott the Taco Bell restaurant franchise last semester for what it called the manipulation of underpaid workers in developing countries.
"We don't advocate the unnecessary use of force," Tucker said. "At the same time, we as a community need to realize that the government is enacting violence on our behalf all the time. It's time to stand up for ourselves."
Sen. Jenny French, chairwoman of ASUNM's Finance Committee, said she received a proposal from the group for the funding on Friday and has looked into student government accounting rules regarding its request.
She said it would be against University regulations to fund the purchase of the weapons by the group.
French said this is the first such request she has seen submitted to ASUNM, except for an attempt by another student group to purchase several fencing swords last year. She said that request was denied.
