2008 Woodie Awards
Slacker Uprising Tour at USC
Documentary film maker, Michael Moore, speaks to students about politics, nationalism and his film "Fahrenheit 9/11".
Susan Maltby
Issue date: 10/27/04 Section: News
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Michael Moore, Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker, came to USC on Oct. 14 to encourage college students to cast ballots against President Bush in the upcoming election.
Between 3,500 and 4,000 students and fans attended the free event at 7:45 p.m. at McCarthy Quad. Several Iraq soldiers and their family members shared letters and political views and Moore promoted his new bestselling book, "Will They Ever Us Trust Again? Letters From the War Zone." The event also featured a performance by Tom Morello of the band "Rage Against the Machine."
More than 20 men and women stood after Moore called upon all the veterans in the audience to stand to be applauded for their bravery and contribution to the country.
"I'm a veteran and first-time voter," said Jeff Sardegna, 32, a USC political science major, who served in the Marine Corps on the Bella Woods during the Gulf War. "I'm voting specifically to get George Bush out of office. I believe he lied to the American people."
The USC Program Board and School of Cinema-Television sponsored the public event and paid Moore's $50,000 fee to bring the "Slacker Uprising Tour" to campus. Approximately 50 student protesters picketed the event because of the controversial fee and Moore's strong political opinions.
"They used our student fees to fund this extremist speaker who is spreading lies," said Leslie Evans, 18, USC public relations major. "It isn't right. We don't have a republican speaker of equal caliber. Using student money for Michael Moore this close to the election is just wrong. He doesn't bring accurate information."
The visit was part of Moore's 60-city tour, which began Sept. 26 in Elk Rapids, Mich. and ends on Election Day in Tallahassee, Florida. Moore is appearing on college campuses to target student voters, who represent the largest block of non-voters in presidential elections.
During the show, Moore showed clips from his "Fahrenheit 9/11" DVD and offered Ramen noodles and clean underwear as prizes for students who registered to vote.
Between 3,500 and 4,000 students and fans attended the free event at 7:45 p.m. at McCarthy Quad. Several Iraq soldiers and their family members shared letters and political views and Moore promoted his new bestselling book, "Will They Ever Us Trust Again? Letters From the War Zone." The event also featured a performance by Tom Morello of the band "Rage Against the Machine."
More than 20 men and women stood after Moore called upon all the veterans in the audience to stand to be applauded for their bravery and contribution to the country.
"I'm a veteran and first-time voter," said Jeff Sardegna, 32, a USC political science major, who served in the Marine Corps on the Bella Woods during the Gulf War. "I'm voting specifically to get George Bush out of office. I believe he lied to the American people."
The USC Program Board and School of Cinema-Television sponsored the public event and paid Moore's $50,000 fee to bring the "Slacker Uprising Tour" to campus. Approximately 50 student protesters picketed the event because of the controversial fee and Moore's strong political opinions.
"They used our student fees to fund this extremist speaker who is spreading lies," said Leslie Evans, 18, USC public relations major. "It isn't right. We don't have a republican speaker of equal caliber. Using student money for Michael Moore this close to the election is just wrong. He doesn't bring accurate information."
The visit was part of Moore's 60-city tour, which began Sept. 26 in Elk Rapids, Mich. and ends on Election Day in Tallahassee, Florida. Moore is appearing on college campuses to target student voters, who represent the largest block of non-voters in presidential elections.
During the show, Moore showed clips from his "Fahrenheit 9/11" DVD and offered Ramen noodles and clean underwear as prizes for students who registered to vote.
