DN MONDAY, MARCH 30, 2015
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HOOSIERS PROTEST RFRA
Disagreement continues in state, nation over controversial religious freedom bill KARA BERG CHIEF REPORTER Locally, the owner of Scot | knberg2@bsu.edu ty’s Brewhouse, Scott Wise,
A
fter Indiana Governor Mike Pence signed the controversial Senate Bill 101, opponents both locally and nationally continue to voice concerns about the law, including the owner of Scotty’s Brewhouse. The law is based on last year’s Supreme Court decision that family-owned businesses would not have to offer contraceptive coverage to their employees if it conflicted with the owner’s beliefs. The goal of the law is to give people legal protection to practice their religion. However, Pence said in an interview with the Indianapolis Star Saturday that after talking to legislative leaders, he expects a clarification bill this coming week. While the language of the law does not state anywhere that businesses would be able to discriminate, companies such as Gen Con LLC., Angie’s List, National Collegiate Athletic Association, Salesforce and Disciples of Christ have all voiced their opposition to the law and have spoken about withdrawing business in Indiana.
posted his opinion on the restaurant’s website. “I employ over 1,300 people in the state of Indiana,” it reads. “Several of my employees are openly gay, proud and happy which include hourly, employees, management and corporate executives. Most importantly, I consider all of them my colleagues and even more so, my friends.” Wise said he doesn’t know how many people he employs or serves are gay. The only thing he asks from guests are that they treat the restaurant and staff with respect, and treat each other as human beings. “I sure hope that fellow business owners understand that just because they ‘CAN’ [discriminate] doesn’t mean they ‘SHOULD,’” Wise said in his post. “And, I hope that the Gen Con organizers and others around the U.S. understand that this policy will never sway the business owners in the city of Indianapolis from continuing to offer genuine Hoosier Hospitality to everyone that enters our businesses, equally, fairly, justly and lovingly.”
See REACTIONS, page 3
THREE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE RFRA
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Prohibits a governmental entity from “substantially burdening” a person, company or organization’s exercise of religion.
What it means:
A person, company or organization will have the ability to make decisions based on their religion without legal action from a government entity. The bill does not protect action against two private individuals.
2 3
If the individual wins a case against a government entity, they are entitled to seek compensation which can include court fees in some cases.
A government entity may be “substantially burdening” if the action shows “compelling governmental interest” or is the least restricting means to address a situation.
The full bill can be seen at iga.in.gov.
DN PHOTO STEPHANIE REDDING
A protester holds up a sign at the start of the #AllAreWelcome rally on Saturday. More than 1,000 people stood on the lawn and steps of the Indiana Statehouse to protest Indiana’s newly signed RFRA law.
#AllAreWelcome Protestors gather at the Statehouse to rally against RFRA KARA BERG CHIEF REPORTER
|
knberg2@bsu.edu
More than 1,000 people gathered in front of the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis Saturday to take part in the #AllAreWelcome rally to oppose the Religious Freedom Restoration Act signed Thursday by Indiana Governor Mike Pence. Ryan Walstrom, a freshman telecommunications major, was one of the Ball State students to travel to the rally. “I think it really speaks about the state,” Walstrom said. “A rally like this really shows strong opposition. This is a backwards step in social views.” Throughout the rally, chants of “this is what democracy looks like,” “Pence must go” and “fix the bill” were repeated as leaders encouraged the crowd to speak out. Jeff Cummings, an Indianapolis business owner, attended the rally holding a sign saying “Pitch Pence over the fence.” He said as a vice president for a multinational company, he embraces diversity for his company and employees and felt the need to attend the rally. See RALLY, page 3
SOURCE: INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Men’s volleyball celebrates 4 players on senior night Cardinals fall to No. 2 Loyola in final home game GENERAL STAFF REPORTER | ROBBY @The_Generex6
The Ball State men’s volleyball team held its Senior Night Saturday, marking the final time the team’s four seniors would play in front of the Worthen Arena crowd. David Ryan Vander Meer, Shane Witmer, Julian WelshWhite and Matt Sutherland celebrated their careers prior to a 3-0 loss to Loyola. “I’m going to miss these boys; they’re my family,” Vander Meer said. “But all good things have to come to an end. It’s time to move on to the next thing, but I’ll miss playing.” Vander Meer saw the most DN PHOTO ALAINA JAYE HALSEY playing time of all the seThe Ball State men’s volleyball team honored seniors Shane Witmer, Julian Welshniors on Senior Night. He led White, David Ryan Vander Meer and Matt Sutherland after their final home game of the Cardinals with six digs in the season. Head coach Joel Walton presented each of the seniors and their parents the match. with a framed jersey.
He has seen significant playing time in all of his years at Ball State, making the switch to libero last year and earning First Team All-Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association honors. Witmer and Sutherland have also played a key role since early in their careers. The pair has combined for 285 of the team’s 1,012 kills so far this season. Witmer was an Academic AllMIVA selection each of the last three seasons. The two outside attackers have complemented each other on the court throughout their careers, and look to stay healthy and help the team compete the rest of the season. After earning a medical redshirt in 2014, Julian Welsh-White has played in five sets this season with four kills. Welsh-White has one more year of eligibility and can finish his collegiate career at another university.
See VOLLEYBALL, page 6
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Chris Romain, their road manager, started working for the federation with the intention to stay for three days. He’s been with the wrestlers since May. “We’re family,” said Romain, who also goes by Jet. “I’d die for any of these guys and Lights, laughter and alcohol they’d do the same for me.” defined Muncie Gras 2015. For He said he wants his sport its 14th year, the to be seen as a serievent that boasts ous competition, not a 7,000 to 9,000 atWe’re sideshow act. tendees enterAll of Saturday’s tained its crowds family. I’d wrestlers entered with acts including die for any of into the federation the Blue Moon Cirwith wrestling backcus, Carenza’s Car- these guys, grounds. Some, like avan Belly Dance and they’d do 50-year-old Danny and Fire and the Campbell, have been men of the Extreme the same for wrestling for many Midget Wrestling me. years. This is CampFederation. bell’s 33rd. The four wresCHRIS ROMAIN, Wrestling isn’t just tlers, with stage road manager a job for Campbell: he names like “Lil’ said it was a dream Show” and “Fabio” with all the odds stacked occupied a small tent overagainst him. flowing with a constant crowd of onlookers. See WRESTLING, page 5
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