A group of 12 College Republicans protested UNIQUE’s 7 p.m. screening of Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” in the lobby of the University Union on Thursday, marking the end of Constitution Week at Sacramento State. The group held signs that mocked Gore and questioned whether the film related to Constitution Week.

“We feel like the activities and events and entertainment that goes on as part of Constitution Week should be directly related to the history and evolution of the construction,” said Kara Greene, 23, president of the College Republicans. “We don’t feel that global warming contributes to that, specifically a partisan global warming movie with an agenda that’s against the Republican party.”

Greene decried the screening as “another example of how the school supports outrageous liberal, political agendas on campus” in an e-mail sent to members of the College Republicans.

“This movie promotes civic engagement,” said Zenia Diorno, programs adviser for UNIQUE. “Basically trying to make people aware of problems with the earth, or with the climate and the environment, and hopefully motivate them to do something about it.”

A rival group, College Democrats, lingered in the lobby to show support for the film.

“I really don’t think that climate change is an issue that is related to politics,” said Nelly Hayatghaib, director of membership for the College Democrats. “It’s on political agendas, but it’s not a political ideal. Everyone should care about the environment.”

Some members questioned the protesters’ intentions.

“Constitution Week was last week,” said Robert Marcelis, a junior government major and member of the College Democrats. “This is just a ploy by the College Republicans to grab attention.”

UNIQUE drew protesters in 2004 with a screening of Michael Moore’s film, “Fahrenheit 9/11.” Current UNIQUE members could not recall any other events as being controversial.

Though dwarfed by the protesters, there were some students in attendance.

“I’m just wondering if they have actually seen the movie, not just blindly protesting,” said Dennis Sadang, freshman computer science major. “I read the signs. I’m kind of curious about all that.”

UNIQUE chose to show the movie because of how popular it was last year, not out of obligation for Constitution Week, Diorno said.

“We’re not obliged to do anything (for Constitution Week),” she said. “Our main goal is just to bring entertainment to the campus.”

Avi Ehrlich can be reached at [email protected].