FEBRUARY 23, 2018
THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO SINCE 1892
SCOTUS SIDES WITH UNIVERSITY IN TERRORISM DAMAGES CASE BY KATHERINE VEGA NEWS EDITOR
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the University’s Oriental Institute in an 8–0 ruling today, according to the Associated Press. The University was a respondent in the case Rubin et al. v. Islamic Republic of Iran et al. The ruling prevents U.S. survivors of a 1997 terrorist attack from using artifacts housed at the Oriental Institute as a means to get compensation from Iran after the country refused to pay them $71.5 million in damages. Eight Americans were injured in the attack, which was carried out by Hamas in Jerusalem. The victims of the terrorist attack sued Iran for their involvement in providing the bombers financial backing, and were awarded the $71.5 million. When the Iranian government did not pay the money, the victims of the attack and their relatives hoped to claim the artifacts as compensation from the Iranian government. “The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago is committed to preserving and protecting a collection of Persian artifacts
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Ambassador Haley Criticizes U.N. General Assembly BY LUCIA GENG NEWS REPORTER
on loan from the Iranian government, which are among the region’s most important historical documents,” University spokeswoman Marielle Sainvilus wrote in an e-mail to T he M a roon . “These ancient artifacts, along with the Oriental Institute’s own Persian collection, have unique historical and cultural value. Today’s ruling reaffirms the University’s continuing efforts to preserve and protect this cultural heritage.” The artifacts in question, 30,000 Persian clay tablets known as the Persepolis Collection, were loaned by Iran to the Oriental Institute more than 80 years ago. The artifacts were discovered by University archaeologists during an excavation and have been on loan ever since. The Oriental Institute announced in its digital newsletter on Thursday, February 22, that Institute members have begun talks with Iranian colleagues to return the Collection to Iran. The Supreme Court decision affirms the ruling of a Chicago federal appeals court. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote the majority opinion for the Court, and said that the
Nikki Haley, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations (U.N.), delivered remarks and participated in a Q&A session during an Institute of Politics (IOP) event at International House Thursday night. Haley began by giving an overview of the U.S.’s involvement with the U.N., saying that “the history of the United States and the United Nations is a mixture of idealism and realism.” She expressed determination to show the U.N.’s value to the American people and discussed using her role as ambassador to advance American foreign policy interests. “The United States is by far the largest financial contributor to the United Nations,” Haley said. “That doesn’t mean we should always get our way, but it does mean we should get something in return for our investment.” She discussed instances where the U.S. was not afraid to assume a leadership position in the U.N., such as when the U.S. headed efforts to impose economic sanctions on North Korea. Haley ended her remarks by sharing advice she received from former Secretary of State Henry
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Yao Xen Tan
U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley speaks at International House.
Trans Activist Janet Mock Gives Annual Kent Lecture BY KATHERINE VEGA NEWS EDITOR
Giovanna DeCastro
Janet Mock speaks at the Kent Lecture.
New York Times–bestselling author and transgender rights activist Janet Mock spoke in Mandel Hall as the George E. Kent Lecture guest for the Organization of Black Students (OBS). The evening began with introductions by third-year OBS Political Chair Simeon Daferede. The event was moderated by fourth-year Darien Dey, who is the chair of the Leaders of Color program at the Institute of Politics. Dey wrote in an e-mail to The Maroon that she prepared for the event by reading her two books and watching past interviews with Mock. During her talk, Mock, who is
Disturbed Fabric Contemporary artist Alia Ali discussed her work in textile and other media in a talk on campus.
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A Lesson in Free Speech
also a television producer and former editor for People magazine, discussed her experiences as a black trans woman, her writing, and her future projects. She also spoke about how the intersections of her various identities have affected her outlook on life. Dey started the conversation by noting that Mock was the first openly trans speaker the Kent Lecture series has ever hosted and asking her how she felt about that. “It speaks to the expansiveness of blackness in how it includes so many of us, and it’s a great step forward in terms of insuring that we create more space for black trans girls in conversations about being black,” Mock said.
As it looks forward to the NCAA tournament, the team has an opportunity to secure a perfect record in conference.
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