A coalition of more than 40 student groups launched the second annual Peace Not Prejudice Week yesterday on the heels of an altercation on campus between pro-Israel and pro-Palestine students last Thursday.

Organizers from the Coalition for Peace Not Prejudice, which put on the event, said the week is meant to foster dialogue and promote peaceful coexistence among campus communities.

The coalition was formed last year in response to Islamo-Fascism Awareness Week, a controversial campus event that discussed radical Islam. While the aim of the Coalition for Peace Not Prejudice last year was to bring students together despite religious differences, this year's goal is to break down ethnic stereotypes, said junior Bina Patel, an event co-organizer.

"By shattering stereotypes through a diverse of array of events ... we hope people will become aware of their reactions when faced with difference, and view our differences as a productive aspect of society," Patel said.

Patel said the week-long event, which includes a panel discussion today and a peace rally Thursday, would not respond directly to last week's fight.

"Our goal is not about what went on last week, but to promote the concept of peace and unity on our campus," she said.

But sophomore Salma Vir-Banks, a member of Students for Justice in Palestine who attended last night's ASUC-hosted community forum, said the event should not ignore the fight.

"I think it should be incorporated, because Peace not Prejudice is trying to advocate for peace, but also to recognize oppression and violence when it occurs," Vir-Banks said. "And I believe what happened Thursday night was an act of oppression and violence."

Junior Eyal Mazor, another organizer of the event, said the coalition members would not alter any events due to the fight, but would discuss the greater issues raised by the altercation after attending the forum.

"We did not necessarily want to respond directly to the incident itself, but to the tensions on campus, and try to use the energy generated in the forum and channel it in a peaceful direction," Mazor said.

CalSERVE Senator Kifah Shah said she believes the event will work toward overcoming the altercation.

"(The week) is inherently connected to what happened, because these students and events are calling for campus unity," she said. "These events will help heal this campus climate of fear and lack of safety."

Tags: STUDENT LIFE, PEACE NOT PREJUDICE