The University of Puerto Rico Theatre and Civil Disobedience

    Last sunday, Septbember 17, 2006, various student groups joined forces to prevent the innauguration of the recently remodeled UPR Theatre (Rio Piedras).  The island's cultural elite's reaction has tended to be negative, characterizing some students as 'fascists'' (Sylvia Alvarez Curbelo).  During the event, the entry of this elite group was thwarted; they saw their 'right of entry' thwarted in which the administration did not take any action whatsoever.  The UPR president Garcia Padilla as well as its Dean Escalona-Mota stayed inside the theatre during the incident without calling the police or going outside to confront the students.  Instead they took the easy way out and cancelled the concert.  Nonetheless, we need to comment that just as the students were exercising their right to protest--a right in any democracy--the administration also had the right to 'arrest' given students.  In fact, the person who conducts an act of civil disobedience, in attacking governmental laws or actions believed to be morally unfair, equally makes himself/herself subject to the relevant state sanctions, which in and of themselves elevates the value of his/her sacrifice.  Far from being 'fascists', the students' action only showed the weakness of the university administration.