The Vista NOTRE DAME ACADEMY*3535 W. SYLVANIA AVE.* TOLEDO, OH 43623* Vol. 67 Issue 4 * February 14, 2017
Students Exercise Rights at Protests Hannah Dailey On January 20, 2017, Donald Trump was inaugurated into office as President of the United States, bringing an end to the long presidential campaign process. However, students are ready to raise their political voices. Many protests have occurred against President Trump’s policies. These protests most significantly included the Women’s March on January 21 and the protests of the temporary immigration ban after it was announced January 28. The Women’s March was a worldwide protest to protect legislation and policies regarding human rights. A reported 408 marches occurred across the United States. “I attended the march in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it was way more peaceful than I expected,” junior Jami Stout said. "It was a very calm atmosphere, and I'm so glad I was able to attend and voice my opinion on these issues." Issues the marchers protested included women’s rights, immigration reform, healthcare reform, the environment, LGBT+ rights, racial equality, freedom of religion and workers’ rights. "The issues being protested were in no part radical,” senior Sadie Kaplan said. “This was nothing more than a group of passionate women marching for a cause.” "We were simply there to engage in democracy," Sadie said, “and to send a message to the new administration letting them know that women's rights are indeed human rights and that issues regarding female autonomy should be held to a high standard,” she added. A week after the women’s marches occurred, President Trump issued an order to ban citizens from seven Mus-
Senior Sadie Kaplan, junior Caroline Dziubek, senior Sofia Kolovich, senior Camille Needham, and junior Carly McGoldrick peacefully protest at the Ann Arbor Women’s March. Photo courtesy of Sadie Kaplan. lim-majority countries from entering the United States for the next 90 days. A federal judge recently suspended this order, which was upheld at the federal appeals court. “I see this order no differently than a blanket discrimination on religion and race, and to someone who has been raised by immigrants for the majority of my life, this order is the antithesis of what I know America to be,” senior Gracey Chung said. However, not everyone agrees. “In essence, it is good. Although it may come across as racist or rude, the actual executive order proved our president is trying to protect our country,” senior Aby Griffith said. Junior Leen Yassine said, “Being open to immigrants from all around the world is the reason our nation is the strong nation it is today.” As a result of this, thousands of protesters gathered in major airports and landmarks around the country to challenge the order. “I attended the protest at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport,” Leen said. “There were thousands and thousands of people in attendance. The entire crowd was united and spirited. I will
never forget that evening.” Gracey attended the “Rally for Refugees” at Sylvania Southview High School, which was smaller than the airport protests, but was “definitely not lacking in heart.” Advocates for both sides of political issues see the need to reach out to others. “The first step to approaching political differences is education,” Aby said. “By educating ourselves and each other, along with going to protests and speaking out about important issues, we can truly make a difference,” Jami said. Notre Dame Academy encourages students to be politically informed because educating and encouraging students to speak up will create a better future. A new club called Building Bridges is “dedicated to finding practical approaches to healing social, political, and personal divisions,” as stated in the mission statement. Led by faculty member Mrs. Kelly Wood, the club meets in room 206 and is a resource for students interested in engaging in open discussion.
In This Issue: Page 6 Mr. NDA
Page 5 Hate Crime on Facebook
Page 3 Being a Vegan