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The Chronicle
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 2006
THE INDEPENDENT DAILY AT DUKE UNIVERSITY
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ONE HUNDRED AND FIRST YEAR, ISSUE 74
Outspoken activist to Blue Devils slam Terrapins give MLK Day speech by
by
Tiffany Webber THE CHRONICLE
When heralded entertainer and human rights activist Harry Belafonte visits campus Sunday to give the keynote speech at the Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration service,
not
everyone be will singing his
praises. After decades of involvement with the civil rights H cause, Belafonte has been stirring political controversy in the media in recent years. Belafonte, who was chosen by the MLK Day Planning Committee more than four months ago to speak in remembrance of King, was a close friend of the celebrated civil rights figure. “There may be moments in which Martin is less sought after, less remembered,” Belafonte recendy told the publication This Month at Duke. “But I think there will always be moments
when the spirit he represented will be evoked and regarded.” MLK Planning Committee members said they were pleased that they could get Belafonte to come to Duke. “[He] was the unanimous choice because he has a historic connection with Dr. King,” said Benjamin Reese, co-chair of the committee and vice president for institutional equity. Reese cited the program of the weekend’s events, which shows Belafonte standing beside Coretta Scott King crying at her husband’s funeral in 1968. “We are looking forward to Mr. Belafonte sharing the fascinating story of his close relationship with Dr. King and his continued pursuit of political and social justice throughout the years,” senior Hollen Reischer, a student member of the committee, wrote in an e-mail. Despite his many admirers, Belafonte has been making headlines in the past few years because of comments he has made regarding past and present members of the George W. Bush administration. In 2002, Belafonte referred to then Secretary of State Colin SEE BELAFONTE ON PAGE 8
Patrick Byrnes THE CHRONICLE
Shelden Williams recorded the first triple-double of the Coach K Era as the top-ranked Blue Devils destroyed No. 23 Maryland, 76-52, and snapped their MARYLAND threegame -76 DUKE
losing
streak against the Terrapins (114, 1-2 in the ACC). “Shelden had an amazing night,” head coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “No question about it.” Williams tied a Duke (15-0, 3-0) record with 10 blocks, as he led the Blue Devils’ stifling defensive effort and notched 11 rebounds and 19 points to complete the first triple-double since Gene Banks accomplished the feat in 1978. Legendary players such as Christian Laettner, Grant Hill and Jay Williams have passed through Duke’s program without playing such a complete game. And Williams’ tripledouble Wednesday night was not just the third in school history but also the first that included blocks instead ofassists. In the shadow ofWilliams’ historic game, guard JJ. Redick also turned in a standSEE M. BBALL ON PAGE 22
LAURA BETH DOUGLAS/THE CHRONICLE
Sheiden Williams looks on as JJ. Redick slams home the first dunk of his career. The seniorscored 27 points although he shot just9-for-22 from thefield
University seeks 3 bonfire permits for spring by
David Graham
THE CHRONICLE
Students with a burning desire to recrethe mayhem of past years’ bonfires after major basketball victories may get their chance this spring. Despite problems with the tradition last year, the Durham Fire Department has approved preliminary plans to grant three fire permits to the University this semester. “They have signed off on the operating program to run the bonfires,” said Fred Knipper, fire and safety manager in the Occupational and Environmental Safety Office. The permits, which have not yet been granted officially, are pending University compliance with a revised logistical plan. At the behest of Duke Student Government, administrators have requested permits for this year’s men’s basketball contest against the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as well as the men’s and women’s national championship basketball games. University administrators did not apply for a permit for a bonfire following the men’s basketball home game against Wake ate
Students threw benches in thetraditional bonfireafter last season's one-pointvictory over theTar Heels.
Forest University—a contest for which students are tenting this season. DSG President Jesse Longoria, a senior, said DSG only requested three permits because of uncertainty regarding this year’s tenting policy. Duke obtained four permits lastyear, but controversy arose during the first bonfire, which followed a victory over UNC Feb. 29. Rules demanded that no more than three benches be burned simultaneously. When the rule was broken, firefighters extinguished the blaze, and the fire marshal rescinded the permits for the remaining games. University administrators are now working with the Durham Fire Department to get the permits restored. “The expectation is that once we fulfill the requirements of the operating plan the permit will be reinstated,” said Sue Wasiolek, assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of students. The operating plan outlines rules concerning the size, placement and oversight of fires and how supervisors will be trained. SEE BONFIRES ON PAGE 9