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Fall 2022 Issue 13-14

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Tuesday, October 18, 2022 | Vol. CI, Issue 13 & 14 | Binghamton University | bupipedream.com

Q Center hosts Pride March

The march celebrated National Coming Out Day, alongside other OUTober programming this month. Tresa Karnati

news contributor

Binghamton University students assembled on the Peace Quad on Tuesday to participate in a Pride March for National Coming Out Day. National Coming Out Day is an LGBTQ+ awareness day. It was first introduced in 1988 as a way to commemorate the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, which took place one year prior on Oct. 11, 1987. The purpose of the march was to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and demand more funds be allocated to fight the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) epidemic. Since then, Coming Out Day has become an international celebration, with marches and demonstrations taking place all over the world on Oct. 11.

see outtober page 3

The Free Word on Campus Since 1946

Accused Capitol rioter has BU background Jon Lizak, former president of the College Republicans, allegedly entered the U.S. Capitol with four other men. Hamza Khan

editor-in-chief

Jon Lizak, former president of Binghamton University College Republicans, has been charged with breaching the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Along with a group of four others, Lizak had traveled to the U.S. Capitol and remained inside for approximately 35 minutes, according to court documents. The group allegedly roamed through the building and entered the office of U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Lizak is now facing misdemeanor charges, and was released on bond on Nov. 11. Lizak was the only member of the group who was a former BU student, with the others having no known relation to the University. While four of the men face misdemeanor charges, one of them — Joseph Brody, 23, of Virginia — is charged with a felony for assaulting a U.S. Capitol police officer with a metal barricade. “Brody’s associates watched as he assaulted this law enforcement officer,” the affidavit reads. “The group then watched the destruction of media equipment, which had been surrounded by metal barricades.” For the past three years, Lizak has also been at the helm of a lawsuit against BU, claiming a violation of freedom of speech. The lawsuit stemmed from the disruption of a tabling event in fall 2019 — organized by conservative activist group Turning Point USA and the BU College Republicans — by hundreds of protestors.

sourced from brody et al statement of facts pg. 13 Lizak (green) is pictured alongside one of the four other men that allegedly he entered the U.S. Capitol building with on Jan. 6.

The semester following the tabling event, Lizak became president of the College Republicans, remaining at the post until spring 2022 — though the club had become dormant during COVID-19, according to its members. In an email statement, the College Republicans denounced Lizak’s actions. “His actions at the [U.S.] Capitol Building are not representative of this club or what we stand for,” the College

Republicans wrote. “Furthermore, we believe that conservatism rejects political violence and radicalism as a means for change.” Investigators determined that the five men involved in the breaching of the U.S. Capitol, including Lizak, were part of America First, a group that advocates against demographic shifts in the U.S. According to the affidavit, the men had met at prior America First events, as well as at a

“Stop the Steal, March for Trump” rally on Nov. 14, 2020. The group had allegedly traveled to Washington, D.C. around a day prior to the storming of the U.S. Capitol, gathering from across the East Coast. They first entered the building from the Senate Wing Door before entering various restricted areas, including the Rotunda and third-floor hallways, according to court documents.

see jan. 6 page 3

Local elementary schools face shutdown BCSD cites decreased enrollment, partly due to reduced family housing as a primary factor. Celia Woodruff

assistant news editor

Partly due to student housing crowding out single-family, low-income housing options, Binghamton City School District (BCSD) may close one of its elementary schools. On Thursday, Sept. 29, BCSD

administration held their third of four community forums in order to discuss a “feasibility study” of their elementary schools, with a special focus on Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School. This study examined factors ranging from enrollment and student interests to asbestos in the ceilings and walls. Parents spoke with Board of Education (BOE) members and district leadership, voicing concerns over construction and the closing of a school. One of these concerns included the district’s declining enrollment. Student housing is decreasing the supply of low-income family housing and detracting

from surrounding neighborhoods’ appeal to new, house hunting families, according to attending parents, residents and district leadership. This sentiment was echoed in a CNY Fair Housing study. According to this study, “with about half of Binghamton apartments marketed specifically as student housing and rising rental costs associated with the increase in the student population, families with children, particularly lowincome families are facing limited options available to rent.” In a statement, the BCSD BOE described the declining enrollment. “As the population has declined in the

Men’s soccer earns 4-1 victory Four Bearcats honored on senior day, tally highest goal total against AE opponent since 2014. sports intern

On Saturday, the Binghamton men’s soccer team continued America East (AE) play against UMass Lowell as the Bearcats celebrated senior day. The celebrations continued after the match, as BU earned a 4-1 win, its highest goal total against an AE opponent since 2014. “Outstanding, fantastic result,” said Binghamton head coach Paul Marco. “I think the guys have taken a better responsibility in front of the goal. Their concentration has grown up a little bit. You have to be really committed. I think we can do a better job on set pieces with commitment in the box to try and will the ball, but overall [I’m] very pleased. Our frontrunners are finally on the scoresheet a little bit more, so that was great to see.” BU (3-6-4, 1-1-2 AE) outshot UMass Lowell (2-8-3, 0-3-1 AE) 17-7 in what was an end-to-end affair from kickoff.

Jamie H. Nguyen

Assistant Arts & Culture Editor

megan patterson staff photographer Senior forward Matthew Cozetti registered a goal and an assist in BU’s 4-1 victory against UMass Lowell on Saturday.

ARTS & CULTURE

feasibility study. Another estimate suggests an enrollment decline of 383 students over five years. One parent, who wished to remain anonymous, was optimistic enrollment would rebound, suggesting ways the district could better advertise itself. According to this parent, they and their partner were told by their real estate agent that the “good schools” were in Vestal. Upon enrolling at BCSD, they were surprised at the district’s quality and parent satisfaction.

see shutdown page 3

SHADES Vogue Ball delivers From poised runway walks to sleek outfits, the students brought their best for the Vogue Ball.

Aidan jennings

see soccer page 8

City of Binghamton, the school district’s enrollment has also steadily declined during the past two decades,” the BCSD BOE wrote. “This decline can be attributed to several factors, and municipalities across the state and region have experienced similar trends. While there is a shortage of family housing in some Binghamton neighborhoods, this is just one of several factors impacting a decline in student enrollment.” Enrollments are expected to continue to decline throughout all grade levels, with an optimistic projection forecasting a decline in enrollment by 86 students over five years for grade-levels K-5, according to the

Panel judges were picked from the attending crowd, guest performers competed in various categories and emcees also served as unofficial DJs. That’s what you missed at the Vogue Ball last Friday, Oct. 14 — an annual event by SHADES, an on-campus organization serving LGBTQA+ students of color. This is the second installment of the Vogue Ball, which aims to connect the campus community to local drag and performance culture, as well as create a safe space to explore and enjoy the art of performances. The local drag scene was represented by two guest artists, Paris Lurux and Yvoni Amór. Lurux had been a welcomed guest at the last SHADES

OPINIONS

event, the Sex Carnival. Although this was her first on-campus event, Amór also brought a mind-blowing performance with powerful dancing and all the splits, kicks and dips one can do. The show also had Derek Jorden, the resident director at Bingham Hall, as their main emcee. The first category was Butch Queen Realness, which portrays “a gay male that is neither extremely feminine nor extremely masculine and can easily portray both mannerisms,” according to Jorden. Contestants walked from outside of the room to the crowd, before introducing themselves. They were made to “appeal” to the judges for an additional 30 seconds under the strong encouragement of the emcee. The judges gave scores on a scale of 10, with the highest scorer deemed the winner and receiving a commemorated trophy.

see ball page 4

SPORTS

Alumna returns to BU for jazz performance,

Students to showcase art at Harpur Edge Art Show,

Contributing columnist Emily Vega discusses the harms of social media,

Women’s volleyball defeats UNH at home,

Women’s soccer holds Maine to 0-0 away,

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