Expressing Creativity See Pages 4 & 5
Dealing with death
DramapaloozA Review See Page 3
See Page 6
Fremont High School
the
PHOENIX
Vol. 7 Issue No. 8 MaY 31, 2019
Intentional Car crash devastates by Suryan Bhatia & Vivien Su Collaboration
On April 23, 2019, a devastating attack occurred on the Sunnyvale Saratoga and El Camino Real intersection. The crash took place on a Tuesday evening at around 6:40 PM, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Eight pedestrians were waiting at the crosswalk when a car ran into the pedestrians. The driver behind the wheel was Isaiah Peoples, a 34-year-old man, a resident of Sunnyvale. Although there were no fatalities, many were severely injured with one of the victims being a student at Fremont High School, who was on his bike at the moment of impact. His 24-year-old cousin was also severely wounded. Both of them sustained leg injuries and will have to use crutches for an unspecified amount of time. Police and firemen were
immediately called in to attend to the victims. The youngest and most seriously injured victim was a 13-year-old student from Sunnyvale Middle School, who was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. At the time of the crash, the victim was with her 45-yearold father and nine-year-old brother. The student, along with five other victims, were hospitalized. “We all are worried,” said Aarti Chendake, the young girl’s neighbor. “We are waiting for some news that she should be fine, she should be okay.” According to KTVU Fox 2 News, Peoples, the attacker, is an Iraq War veteran who was undergoing PTSD treatment. As for the motives behind the attack, police are treating the crash as a hate crime as they believe that Peoples targeted those who he believed were
Muslim. Jim Choi, Captain of the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety, spoke with The Mercury News after the incident. “All evidence obtained indicates this was an intentional act,” said Choi. “That the driver purposely sped up and ran into the crosswalk and purposely tried to hit the pedestrians.” Even though it was intentional, Peoples is not known to be associated with any terrorist organizations. On the morning after the crash, Peoples’ Sunnyvale home was searched by the local police department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Peoples is currently charged with eight counts of attempted murder and is in the Santa Clara County’s Main Jail. The FHS administration also shared their viewpoints on the situation. “It seemed like he
[Peoples] intentionally drove into people,” said Principal Bryan Emmert. “That’s horrifying. What’s more horrifying, I would say for the admin team, is when we think about could anyone that’s connected to the school be involved.”
All evidence obtained indicates this was an intentional act. That the driver purposely sped up Jim Choi Thankfully, FHS provides plenty of resources for students who may feel traumatized by these events. “On the whole, we have an amazingly caring and dedicated staff,” said Emmert. “I would hope and my sense is that most students on campus have
someone they can talk to, an adult that they trust and share their concerns with. We have a mental health team where I know a lot of students take advantage of.” Emmert hopes that all students are able to find suitable care for their various needs, whether it be through the school or elsewhere. “[Hopefully], they’re [students] able to deal with their concerns, issues, anger, mental health challenges through support [systems] in place through our school and through our district,” said Emmert. Deirdre Louie, a Student Advocate at FHS, shares similar sentiments and encourages students to talk about their thoughts, opinions and feelings. “After a traumatic event if you’re having a lot of emotions about it or can’t stop thinking about it, then it’s important to talk about it and not just hold it in,” Louie said. In addition, the city of Sunnyvale, in partnership with Islamic Group Network, community members and nonprofit organizations, held
a Unity Gathering event on May 29 at the Senior Center. The goal of the event was to support the victims of the attack and to heal and strengthen the community’s ties. “Sunnyvale takes pride in the incredible diversity of people who form the rich fabric of our city,” a message on the city’s website said. “We stand in solidarity with our residents and embrace our community of many backgrounds and beliefs. We will continue to define ourselves by openness and acceptance for all. We are heartbroken that hate and fear exist here, and invite you to join us as we find a path forward for our community.”
Natalie Wolff | The Phoenix Graphics courtesy of Sccpre
The rise of new anti-abortion laws across the US by Trixie Rodriguez & Natalie Wolff
Collaboration
On May 15, 2019, Alabama signed a new law that bans abortions at any stage of pregnancy with no exceptions even in cases of rape or incest. The law does not take effect for six months. However, it is likely expected to be challenged in court soon. According to The Inquirer, getting an abortion will be considered a felony if the law is enacted. Doctors are also said to face up to 99 years in prison if they perform an illegal procedure. The patients will not have to face charges. Along with this law, the heartbeat bill will also be put into effect in. According
to The New York Times, the heartbeat bill means abortions will be prohibited after six to eight weeks of pregnancy due to the fact that at this time, doctors can start hearing the fetal heartbeat. Many abortion clinics have vowed to fight these new anti-abortion laws in court. The new laws are in direct opposition to the landmark Supreme Court case Roe V. Wade. In 1973, the Supreme Court decided in a 7-2 ruling to protect a women’s right to get an abortion. The court decided that states could make no laws regarding abortions during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. During the second trimester states can make laws about abortions with in reason. The third trimester is when states
get to make any laws about abortion so long as they make exceptions for cases where the mother’s life is in danger.
being taken to the Supreme Court, which is currently more conservative than ever. If the ban makes it to the Supreme Court, it is
The lawmakers behind the new abortion ban are well aware that the bill is in conflict with Roe V. Wade, in fact this was the Alabama bill’s intent. The law was created in hopes of
very possible that Roe V. Wade could be overturned. Social media has been filled with students, celebrities and politicians speaking out both in support of and in opposition to the new laws.
“This is absolutely unbelievable,” said Chris Evans. “If you’re not worried about roe v wade, you’re not paying attention. This is why voting matters!!” Many people have pointed out that banning abortion does not make abortions go away. It just limits women’s ability to access safe abortions. Other parts of social media argue that aborted babies do not have a chance to grow up and have a life. Alabama is not the only state that has recently passed restrictive antiabortion laws. On May 9, 2019, Georgia became the fourth US state to pass the heartbeat bill, with exceptions in the case of rape or incest or if giving birth would seriously harm the
mother. While other states have passed bills that limit abortion, Alabama’s bill is the first outright ban. The abortion conflicts have caused uproars nationwide, and the debates show no sign of slowing down.
Graphics courtesy of iStock and Sccpre