2008 Woodie Awards
More than 30 students rally on campus
Nooses spark group to speak
By: Thomas Marcetti
Issue date: 11/16/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The phrase "No justice, no peace," was shouted by more than 30 students in front of the Bovee University Center today.
The Rev. Charles E. Williams II of the National Council for Community Empowerment came to campus at 11 a.m. to call for a federal investigation into the incident involving the hanging of four hangman nooses Monday in the Engineering and Technology Building.
"This is not just a black and white issue," he said. "This is a call to rally against all hate crimes."
Williams said the episode affects all minority groups.
"This is a call to action at CMU," he said.
The group shouted "What do we want? Investigation. When do we want it? Now," as they marched through campus to Pearce Hall and then on to the IET Building.Detroit senior Shanese Ross said it is sad things had to come to this.
She said there are student groups trying to counteract hatred and racism, but it is not enough.
"The student voice is not as loud as the administration's," Ross said. "The administration is all talk, they could do more."
She said she hopes the nooses and the rally speak to the administration and push them to action.
Williams called for the community to embrace the students.
"I don't know how I'd feel to walk on this campus at night," he said. "It's scary not knowing who's behind you, and what they're saying."
Mount Pleasant graduate student Sean Novak said the incident with the nooses does not surprise him.
"Stuff like this has been happening (on campus) since '99," he said. "There is a lot of intolerance, a lot of apathy."
Novak said recent incidents like the anti-Islamic and anti-Native American fliers and swastika graffiti are proof this not isolated.
Williams said he would be meeting university President Michael Rao at 1 p.m. and would be meeting with students at 5 p.m. in the Strosacker room in the Charles V. Park Library.
Williams said this is a social justice issue and they would not rest until action is taken.
"We will not tolerate acts of this nature," he said. "We not gonna give up, we not gonna bend."
news@cm-life
Keep checking the Web site and Monday's print issue for further updates.
The Rev. Charles E. Williams II of the National Council for Community Empowerment came to campus at 11 a.m. to call for a federal investigation into the incident involving the hanging of four hangman nooses Monday in the Engineering and Technology Building.
"This is not just a black and white issue," he said. "This is a call to rally against all hate crimes."
Williams said the episode affects all minority groups.
"This is a call to action at CMU," he said.
The group shouted "What do we want? Investigation. When do we want it? Now," as they marched through campus to Pearce Hall and then on to the IET Building.Detroit senior Shanese Ross said it is sad things had to come to this.
She said there are student groups trying to counteract hatred and racism, but it is not enough.
"The student voice is not as loud as the administration's," Ross said. "The administration is all talk, they could do more."
She said she hopes the nooses and the rally speak to the administration and push them to action.
Williams called for the community to embrace the students.
"I don't know how I'd feel to walk on this campus at night," he said. "It's scary not knowing who's behind you, and what they're saying."
Mount Pleasant graduate student Sean Novak said the incident with the nooses does not surprise him.
"Stuff like this has been happening (on campus) since '99," he said. "There is a lot of intolerance, a lot of apathy."
Novak said recent incidents like the anti-Islamic and anti-Native American fliers and swastika graffiti are proof this not isolated.
Williams said he would be meeting university President Michael Rao at 1 p.m. and would be meeting with students at 5 p.m. in the Strosacker room in the Charles V. Park Library.
Williams said this is a social justice issue and they would not rest until action is taken.
"We will not tolerate acts of this nature," he said. "We not gonna give up, we not gonna bend."
news@cm-life
Keep checking the Web site and Monday's print issue for further updates.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Nick Smith
posted 11/16/07 @ 8:51 PM EST
"...There is a lot of intolerance. There is a lot of apathy." said Novak.
Looking back from when I was a student there, truer words have rarely been spoken regarding the overall apathy and such on that campus. (Continued…)
Norman Pedelty
posted 11/17/07 @ 2:31 PM EST
I think that it is sad that a few individuals are able to control the emotions of so many people. I have always been a proud, educated, and strong individual. (Continued…)
Sean Michael Novak
posted 11/18/07 @ 10:11 AM EST
Personally, I feel it's ashamed that we choose to isolate and focus on the actions of a few individuals and do not address the silence of the masses in light of this. (Continued…)
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