Radical cheerleaders, left-wing tabling and groups of students discussing political and social issues on the Quad marked the eighth annual National Conference for Organized Resistance at AU.
The conference "aims to provide a space for activists to meet each other, have in-depth discussions, analyze strategies, tactics, beliefs, learn a few new skills, and give everyone a lot to think about after an inspiring weekend," according to the NCOR Web site.
The conference is a four-day event, and included film screenings, protests, workshops and panel discussions. The conference began on Thursday with the Lost Film Fest. The conference also included a fur protest in front of Neiman Marcus in Friendship Heights on Friday afternoon.
John Cheney, a senior in the schools of Public Affairs and International Service, became a 2005 NCOR Collective member after participating in campus activities for four years. The NCOR Collective is responsible for organizing the conference.
"The opportunity arose and I decided to jump on it. It's a great way to learn about the environment or social injustice," Cheney said. "It's also a useful community-building exercise."
More than 1,000 people, including speakers and workshop leaders, attended NCOR this year, Cheney said. AU allows the conference to be held on campus without compensation.
Students from all over the world participate in the conference.
"Many students are housed by AU students, and St. Stephen's Church in Columbia Heights is also housing students," Cheney said.
Juliana Edgar, a freshman at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina, enjoyed the skills-sharing activities at the conference. It was Edgar's third time at NCOR.
"It was fun to get together in small groups and share our talents," she said.
Some AU students chose to attend the event out of curiosity.
"It looked interesting. ... I decided to come down because my roommate told me about all of the activities outdoors," said Josh Labovitz, a sophomore in the Kogod School of Business.
Labovitz's roommate, Nick Dodd, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, also came out to take advantage of the festivities.
"I really enjoyed the musical presentations on the Quad," he said.
Lauren Hersey, a sophomore at George Washington University, attended the conference for the first time this year.
"I am wandering around, getting a feel for the event. ... I chose to get involved in 'Food Not Bombs,' an organization that feeds the homeless," Hersey said.
Alex Freedman, a George Washington senior, is in her third year volunteering for the conference. In the past, she led two workshops, including one on radical cheerleading.
Emily Jacobi, a 2004 AU graduate, chose to stay involved with the conference this year.
"I was the conference organizer two years ago, and I really enjoyed it," Jacobi said. "NCOR is a really great opportunity for people from a lot of different areas to come together and discuss ideas and create a sense of community."
Since the conference is designed for all ages, many participants were younger than the college students.
Daisy Todd-Drake, a 9-year-old, attended the conference with her mother.
"It was the first time I came to NCOR," said Daisy, who is from Ohio. "I am excited about going to the cheerleading workshop. Also, I really liked eating the hummus wraps. ... They are my favorite food."
"This is my first year at NCOR," said Jean Trapchak, 17. "I like the wide variety of activities and the free literature. ... It made the conference nice and not too overwhelming."
Kate O'Conner, 17, got a boost from the conference.
"I liked the positive energy and the dedicated nature of all participants," she said.
Rania Campbell-Cobb, a freshman at Guilford College in North Carolina, enjoyed the discussion about alternative schooling.
"I liked learning about the different types of schooling offered for my future children," Campbell said. "Alternative schooling is like home-schooling but with a group of children coming to a home to learn real-world experiences."
Cost for the conference was $12, and money was used for lunches, speaker transportation costs and ads.
The conference has been held every winter on AU's campus since 1998, according to NCOR's Web site, www.organizedresistance.-org.
