Say Yes to Drugs, Tear Down This Wall!

On Thursday afternoon, two Say Yes to Drugs campaigners stopped by The Crimson to warn us that they were about to do something epic.  We'd better get a picture of this, they told us.  They were going to tear down a brick wall.

But when we strolled by Massachusetts Hall to check out the protest, the scene was slightly less than epic.  The demonstrators, organized by members of the Universities Allied for Essential Medicines, rallied for fair access to generic medicine in developing countries.  That was it.

Or was it? Find out after the jump.

At 4:02 p.m., two disgruntled clusters of people formed an awkward circle.  Some glanced around uncertainly, as if waiting to be told what to do. Others fidgeted with their signs. Then someone quietly suggested, "Shouldn't we be marching?"  So they started chanting.

"Hey, Harvard, don't be greedy, get your drugs out to the needy!"

After three or four repetitions, there was an awkward silence. Then another person bravely started up the chant again.  Then silence.

Five minutes in, we weren't so sure how epic this rally really was going to be.

Suddenly, a courageous soul climbed onto the two-step ladder and called to the crowd. Finally, a leader! And real chanting! By the second speech, enthusiasm was mounting. Even we could feel it. These people were getting their act together!

The third and final speech, a touching personal story, drew attention to the protestors' red brick "wall."  (Actually, it was just a long piece of butcher paper painted to look like a brick wall.)

"So now, let us all stand together, the students of Harvard College, and let us TEAR THIS BRICK WALL DOWN!" the speaker shouted.

Then the crowd (which had now swelled to about 150 protestors) hurriedly scurried through the butcher paper.

Yes, it was very epic indeed.

Find out more about the Say Yes to Drugs rally here.