The Pitt News
The independent student newspaper of the University of Pittsburgh | PIttnews.com | SEPTEMBER 18, 2018 | Volume 109 | Issue 25
PITTSBURGH FASHION WEEK KICKS OFF WITH ROOFTOP SOCIAL
PITT LAW HOLDS ANNUAL CONSTITUTION DAY PANEL Noah Manalo Staff Writer
The bitterly contested 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was adopted in 1868 to address citizenship rights for former slaves — and 150 years later, some Pitt law professors think it’s still not totally effective. In honor of Constitution Day on Monday, the University of Pittsburgh School of Law hosted a panel discussion about the promise, limits and ongoing challenges in realizing the rights guaranteed by the 14th Amendment. Around 50 students, staff, faculty and community members attended the event, which feaAttendees at The Social — a networking event held on the first day of Pittsburgh Fashion Week — converse over tured topic discussions by associate law professor drinks on the Sienna Mercato rooftop Monday night. Kaycee Orwig | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Jasmine Gonzales Rose, law professor David Harris and Associate Dean for research and faculty development and law professor Deborah Brake. Brake organized the event to discuss the promise, limits and ongoing challenges for realfriends is always fun, too, though,” Vojtash Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ+ community spoke izing the rights guaranteed by the 14th AmendShahum Ajmal Contributing Editor about their sadness on social media about ment. She began her discussion by examining said. But the pair didn’t even make it in. The the club’s closing — but also expressed the first section of the amendment, which states Emily Vith and Grey Vojtash were devastated when they heard Cruze Bar was line stretched far past the entrance of the their joy when Cruze’s extended stay was that “no State shall make or enforce any law” that should deprive people of their rights as citizens closing. The two lifelong friends have been club at 1600 Smallman St. — past 15th announced. The co-owner and general manager of — meaning all citizens born in the United States spending many of their Thursday evenings Street, nearly to the entrance of Lidia’s, at the Strip District’s popular LGBTQ+ which is one block down Smallman. Fortu- Cruze, Greg Campo, could not reveal too are automatically citizens of the country and their nately for them, the two regulars will have much information about the decision. He state. club since they were 18. “The 14th Amendment has been such a trewas able to explain that Cruze’s closure Vith, now 19 and an undecided soph- a few more chances for “one last hoorah.” mendous source of individual rights. There are a After seven years of service to the Pitts- is being delayed because the building the omore at Pitt, and Vojtash, now 20 and a lot of other places in the Constitution that grant resident of Moon Township, both decided burgh community, the LGBTQ+ club is still bar is located in is being transferred to a individual rights … the Bill of Rights only runs to go to what was supposed to be the bar’s closing — but not for another few months. new landlord, a process that is taking lonagainst the federal government,” Brake said. “So, last college night on Thursday. They want- The owners and management of the club ger than expected. When that transition is without the 14th Amendment, it just would be a ed to pay tribute to the venue that had be- received the unlikely news on Thursday af- complete, the building will be torn down. very diff erent country in terms of an individual’s According to the North Hills resident, come an important part of their friendship ternoon that their stay in the Strip would ability to assert rights against government power.” be extended, though they couldn’t say for the decision was not something the ownand their overall social life. Rose, the fi rst speaker, began the lecture by ers of Cruze wanted, but rather something “We wanted to go for one last hoorah. how long. Regulars to the club and members of See Cruze on page 5 See Constitution on page 2 Waiting in line for an hour and making
CRUZE BAR IS HERE TO STAY BUT ONLY FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER