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Introducing:
The
FRIDAY APRIL 15, 2016
Reflector
131th YEAR ISSUE 47
THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
MSU SA tables resolution concerning HB 1523 by Taylor Bowden Online Editor
After Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1523, also known as the ‘religious liberties act,’ into law, the state of Mississippi was on the receiving end of nationwide criticism similar to other states that passed relatable laws. Soon after the signing, Mississippi State University President Mark Keenum released a statement edging around the bill that said ‘recent legislation’ would not affect the policy of inclusion at Sarah Dutton The Reflector MSU. Students marching to participate in a sit-in at Lee Hall on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. The sit-in lasted over three hours requesting the removal of the Mississippi State flag from campus. During one of the MSU Student Association’s business meetings Tuesday, Senator Drew Baker presented Resolution 10 written by himself and Senator Logan Reeves which closely resembled rally at the flagpole on the the flagpole. debates,” said Ward. Sullivan, an observer of the by Brad Robertson Keenum’s statement and Drill Field, a march to Lee Ward said symbols are As the group sat on the protest and opponent of said the legislation passed Hall and a sit-in on the steps, powerful, and the flag as steps of Lee Hall a walker- removing the flag, said. “It’s Managing Editor by the state would not alter directly below President a symbol invites scorn by yelled out across the drill our state flag.” the SA’s established drive Another opponent of Mark Keenum’s office. whenever the discussion of field. towards diversity. Jason Ward, a history bringing it down comes up. “We want the flag,” he removing the flag, James Mississippi State professor at Mississippi He applauded the students said before leaving the Drill Oliver, a student studying “It echoes many things students staged a sit-in today that Keenum stated,” mechanical engineering State University, addressed who were protesting and Field. Baker said. “Nothing in calling for the removal of the the crowd of protesters at encouraged them to continue Several of the onlookers at MSU, argued that the the resolution goes against state flag from all campus the flagpole before they making their voices heard. were opponents of removing feelings of the majority what Keenum said. It’s all locations. A group of marched. “There’s never a good the flag and watched the should be considered. very similar, it hits on all the students calling themselves “There is a problem. You are time for a protest people protest happen with stern “This is a democracy,” same main points, it’s just the Lucky 7 organized the not the problem,” Ward said don’t want to happen. looks. Oliver said. “Have a campus phrased a little differently.” event, which consisted of a to the group surrounding Real problems require real “There is no debate,” Mike vote.”
MSU students stage a sit-in calling for removal of the Mississippi state flag from campus
SIT-IN, 3
SA, 4
Students protesting recent Mississippi law by Sarah Dutton Photography Editor
Margaret-Ann Horton and numerous followers congregated throughout the day this past Tuesday on the drill field to peacefully protest HB1523 on April 12th . HB1523 is a bill that was recently signed by Governor Phil Bryant to protect religious freedoms within the state of Mississippi. Since, there has been an enormous amount of feedback regarding the new
act cited as the “Protecting Freedom of Conscience from Government Discrimination Act.” Individuals both within and whom support the LGBTQ community are upset with the bill since it is strictly against same sex marriage, sexual relations before marriage, and specifically believes an individual’s sex is determined and concrete from birth. The coordinator of the event had feelings synonymous with others when she explained how
this act had affected her. “I choose to look at people’s hearts and intentions before I chose to judge them. So, when I heard about what our leaders of this state had done against a group that I have many close and dear friends in, I could not sit silent. I cried and grieved for a day or two after the bill was passed, and then I became angry. This is my home. Mississippi has come way too far from its days of discrimination to allow this absurd law to hold place in our government,” said Horton. PROTEST, 2
by Kelsey Horn Staff Writer Sarah Dutton The Reflector
On Tuesday, April 12, Margaret Ann Horton, the organizer of the protest, carries signs along with Emily Dallas and Kaili Morgan, on the Drill Field to support their belief in regards to HB1523.
Tree project to replenish Mississippi coast by Reed Gaddis Staff Writer
Bek Yake, The Reflector
In an effort to help replenish trees destroyed on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mississippi State University’s Coastal Research and Extension Center has grown saplings in a development called the Perseverance Oak Project. Three saplings were planted last week in Long
Giving Days making impact on MSU
Beach and three more were planted in Gulfport. Wayne Porter, who has served as the Regional Extension Coordinator for the Coastal Region of Mississippi State Extension Service, explained how the project began. He said John Hairston, CEO of Hancock Bank, approached Patricia Knight, former head of the Coastal R&E Center, to see about growing oak trees from seeds from live oaks that are currently on the Mississippi
Gulf Coast. “One of the trees is the Friendship Oak that’s located on the Long Beach campus of Southern Mississippi. John Hairston’s thinking was we collect the acorns, we grow the oak trees and then promote them as being something that represented the perseverance of the people of the state of Mississippi. Of how these live oaks have persevered for so many centuries along the coast,” Porter said.
Mississippi State University’s third annual Hail State Giving Days will take place on April 18 and 19. The philanthropy event has a goal of receiving 1,000 gifts in the short time span of 48 hours. Jana Berkery, director of MSU Annual Fund, coordinates the giving days. Berkery said the event has a really big impact on the university. She also said a gift of any size or amount is allowed. “The smaller gifts build up. We receive around 400,000 dollars from gifts of one hundred dollars or less,” she said.
TREES, 4
Weather
Reflections
Cristle Jose, Campus Connect Forecast (Department of Geosciences)
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FORECAST: Friday showers clear by Saturday morning to make way for warm & dry conditions for the rest of Super Bulldog Weekend.
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GIVING DAYS, 3 Policy: Any person may pick up a single copy of The Reflector for free. Additional copies may be obtained from the Henry Meyer Student Media Center for 25 cents per copy.