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Volume CXVI, No. 5
National The department of Justice announced today that police officer Darren Wilson will not be charged in the death of Michael Brown. “There is no evidence upon which prosecutors can rely to disprove Wilson’s stated subjective belief that he feared for his safety,” the DOJ criminal report said. According to the report, Wilson “saw Brown reach his right hand under his t-shirt into what appeared to be his waistband.” Accounts that Brown put his hands up are “inaccurate because they are inconsistent with the physical and forensic evidence,” the report says. Witness accounts were “inconsistent” and “changed over time,” it also said. The Department of Justice today released its investigation of the Ferguson police, which found a pattern and practice of discriminatory policing. The report includes seven racist emails sent by Ferguson officers. In its review, the Justice Department also found 161 use of force complaints against the Ferguson police from 2010 to 2014. Only one case was founded and no officer was disciplined.
International A rebel-held city scarred by months of conflict in eastern Ukraine suffered more tragedy Wednesday when a methane gas explosion in a coal mine killed at least 24 workers and left nine missing. As rescue efforts stretched past sundown, separatist authorities were accused by Ukraine’s government of failing to do enough to save the lives of the miners. The blast occurred before dawn more than 1,000 meters (3,200 feet) underground at the Zasyadko mine in the city of Donetsk in the coal-rich Don bass region. Nearly a year of bitter fighting by pro-Moscow rebels and Ukrainian troops in the east has killed more than 6,000 people. Rebel officials said the accident caused by the ever-present danger of methane gas, rather than artillery fire. This week’s “Top Stories” were compiled by Brendan Raleigh with information from abc.go.com.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Thursday, March 5, 2015
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“Pro-family” organization confronts students
Organization asks for G-Burg student support and stirs controversy on campus B y J ulia S ippel C ontributing W riter
On Monday, March 2, the Servo lunch rush was interrupted by a group asking for signatures on a petition to be sent to Pope Francis. They approached students with a request: “Would you sign a petition to preserve the sanctity of marriage as being between one man and one woman?” The Pope, with a reputation for open-mindedness and general acceptance, has shown unprecedented levels of tolerance since his election to the papacy in 2013. He is quoted early in this position as saying “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” Pope Francis recently made headlines after meeting with Diego Neria Lejarraga, a Catholic member of the LGBT community. The Pope’s actions have spooked many traditionalist Catholics. It was with this background that The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP), brought their petition to campus Monday afternoon. Student Action Director John Ritchie described their objectives and said, “Our group is a Catholic group that defends moral values in society…. We’re doing a worldwide petition, together with over 30 pro-family organizations, [to] present to Pope Francis at the next synod (a formal meeting of church leaders) in Rome....to protect the sacred institution of marriage and family.” To TFP, this
is accomplished by a strong opposition to homosexual, polyamorous, or otherwise untraditional unions. “Many students are participating in this endeavor,” Ritchie said, “and we hope to get millions.” Many students did not take kindly to TFP’s presence, however; within just five minutes’ observation, the group was debated with, spat at, and shouted at. One student, who prefers to remain anonymous, was opposed to the group’s presence and explained,“you couldn’t get passed [sic] without having them deceive you.” Many shared this sentiment after impulsively signing in response to ambiguous descriptions of the petitioners’ goal and a simple desire to get lunch. Despite the student opposition, Professor Peter Carmichael described the interaction in a different light: “I think that Tradition, Family and Property has the right to offend me on the Gettysburg Campus.” TFP, which is headquartered in nearby Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, certainly agreed with him as they staunchly defended their views, accompanied by an eye catching banner displaying their logo, a heraldic lion. Though it may seem surprising to the more progressive members of the Gettysburg community, this organization is far from alone in their movement. Linked to the TFP website is filialappeal.org, the primary force of the movement. Included on this page is a full text of the petition, which is
Photo Credit: www.dailyherald.com
Photo Credit: http://www.tfpstudentaction.org
Members of the The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP) attempted to gain support for their petition to oppose same-sex marriage. to be presented in October and utilizes the Augustinian sixth commandment, thou shalt not commit adultery, in describing its confusion regarding “divorced and then civilly remarried Catholics” receiving communion and the acceptance of homosexual unions. The Appeal’s website also presents a worldwide
signature count (121,122 as of this writing) and a list of notable signatures, including those of former U.S. senator Rick Santorum, an exiled king of Rwanda, and the Head of the Royal House of Portugal. President Janet Morgan Riggs commented on the group’s presence, remarking, “Gettysburg College is
a place where we encourage students to engage in respectful debate about important issues, and I would hope that our students would take the opportunity to voice their views in a civil way.” First-year student Ana Horowitz did just that after witnessing the group’s Continued on page 2
Active Minds Promotes Eating Disorder Awareness Events such as “Mirrorless Monday” advocate for more positive body image among students B y A nika J ensen S taff W riter Active Minds at Gettysburg College promoted National Eating Disorders Awareness Week from Feb. 22 to Feb. 28. The organization, along with The Women’s Center and Gettysburg College AAUW, celebrated with “Mirrorless Monday,” a body positive CUB table and a discussion panel. “Eating disorders and all mental health issues are very important and relevant to us, so I am thrilled with the conversations that are beginning to occur through events like these,” said Sarah Van De Weert ‘16, president of Active Minds. On Sunday night, before “Mirrorless Monday,
Inside This Issue
This Week’s Top Stories
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members of Active Minds hung posters on the mirrors in academic and residential buildings that encouraged students to focus less on appearances and instead view people for their personalities and other positive qualities. Throughout the week students could receive information from the CUB table about eating disorders and counseling options and sign a “Fat Talk Free” pledge. Active Minds also held a body positive photo booth, where students were photographed presenting inspiring or encouraging messages. The week ended with a discussion panel Thursday night in Bowen Auditorium where the audience was given a brief overview of different eating disorders and their respective
symptoms. Four Gettysburg students then shared their experiences with eating disorders, presenting unique stories about body image, relationships and recovery. A member of the counseling center also offered information about receiving help for eating disorders and different treatment programs offered by the college. “I am very proud of all the panelists for opening up and sharing their stories in order to educate others and spread awareness of eating disorders. It’s very difficult to do, but everyone did an amazing job,” said Van De Weert. “Having struggled personal l y wi t h m en t al h e a l t h issues, including an eating disorder, this project was very close to my heart, and it was an honor [to] not
Tips for Movies at the staying Weird News, Majestic, healthy and pg. 2 pg. 3 working out, pg. 4
CAB’s weekend update, pg. 4
Members of the Gettysburg College Active Minds came together for Eating Disorder Awareness Week.
only help put together this event, but to tell my story alongside other students. I couldn’t be happier about how the panel went; it was incredible to see the number of people who came to join the conversation about eating disorders, especially since this was our first panel discussion
Opinions pieces about Monday’s petitioners, pg. 7
about mental health that I can remember.” Senior Lisa Rivoli was instrumental in the panel’s planning and execution. Active Minds meets on Mondays at 6 p.m. in McCreary 309; all students and faculty are welcome to attend.
Two men’s basketball players make All-CC Second Team pg. 8