The Mega Rally Campaign, in support of Associated Students, Inc. elections, was abruptly cancelled March 15 due to a conflict in the Code of Fair Campaign Practices and school policy.

The rally, scheduled for March 18 at Malcolm X Plaza, was planned to raise money for Haiti and spread awareness about the upcoming ASI elections. Guest performers and free food were in the itinerary.

Commissioner Frankie Griffen, who is in charge of elections, cancelled the event.
"Due to the way in which the event planning was conducted by We The People and the now-revealed true nature of the event (as opposed to the event as described to me last week), after consulting with LEAD and ASI staff, I have decided to withdraw support for it, and so it will not happen," said Griffen in an e-mail to the ASI candidates on March 15.

The event was supposed to be sponsored by ASI, but was advertised to be hosted by We The People in a flyer, making it a conflict because both slates should be represented.

Students were excited for the event, which featured East Bay rapper, Young Gully, among others.

"I think it's going to be exciting. It'll be a new way in getting students involved and getting excitement on our campus," said Brittanie Burns-Tucker, a member of the We the People slate.

"Without consulting the commissioner, it can't be sponsored by We the People. It has to be sponsored by ASI. That's why he was forced to cancel the event," said Travis Northup, a candidate for vice president of External Affairs.

Northup added that the commissioner was not informed of the off-campus performers, which also has to be cleared beforehand.

Upon hearing the cancellation, the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. took it upon themselves to make the rally a reality.

"The event is not cancelled but is not supported or not sponsored by ASI or We The People slate," said Jeff Aigbekaen, the We The People candidate for vice president of External Affairs.

The schedule and venue will not change, but performances will end early to have a DJ play music to allow students to mingle and enjoy a party-like atmosphere without the political climate.

"There will be no slate participation," Aigbekaen said. "This is about campus unity."
The new event is scheduled to take place on March 18 in Malcolm X Plaza at noon.