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Volume 51, Issue 16 | Monday, September 12, 2016 | ndsmcobserver.com
Students, alumni commemorate Sept. 11 Saint Mary’s community reflects on global tragedy
University honors victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks By EMILY McCONVILLE
By NICOLE CARATAS
Associate News Editor
Saint Mary’s Editor
Notre Dame’s Young Americans for Freedom chapter started early Sunday morning, planting 2,977 American flags on South Quad in memory of the 2,977 people who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001. As they worked, the bell of the Basilica tolled, ending at the moment a hijacked plane struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center in New York 15 years earlier. Several minutes later, a prayer service in memory of the victims began. The Notre Dame Marching Band played the National Anthem. University president emeritus Fr. Edward “Monk” Malloy welcomed the several dozen who ringed the sidewalks around the quad, including Notre Dame police officers and firefighters.
This year, many students starting their freshman year of high school will be the first class to learn about the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks largely as history, not something they lived through. But for those who witnessed the tragic events 15 years ago, the memories of that day are still very real. Saint Mary’s professor of history Bil Svelmoe remembers the day vividly: He was teaching a history course at the College during the attacks. He said he and the students turned the news on during class after another professor told them an attack happened. “We sat glued to the television for a long time,” he said. “Every class the rest of that day were just students staring at me wide-eyed.
see ND 9/11 PAGE 4
CAITLYN JORDAN | The Observer
American flags were planted on South Quad on Sunday, representing the 2,977 lives lost 15 years ago in the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and Flight 93.
Vigil promotes racial justice By AIDAN LEWIS News Writer
In response to recent events involving racial tension and violence throughout the United States, the Center for Social Concerns and Multicultural Student Programs and Services held a Solidarity for Racial Justice vigil Friday afternoon at Geddes Hall. Melissa Marley Bonnichsen, the Director of Social Concerns Seminars and the main organizer of the event, said racial justice will be a focus this year on campus. “Today kicks off our own campaign for racial justice,” Bonnichsen said. “In the Center for Social Concerns, this year’s Catholic social teaching theme is solidarity, the soul of development. We believe this is part of our ongoing dialogue about what is at the heart of solidarity and what is at the heart of development.”
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The vigil began at Geddes Hall and then continued to the Sacred Heart of Jesus statue. Twelve candles bearing the name of a victim of racially charged violence were lit at each location, including candles for Alton Sterling, Trayvon Martin and the three Baton Rouge police officers killed July 17. “We will be mindful of those who are suffering from the senseless violence, those continuing to deal with the harassment and excessive force and those facing oppression in local communities,” Bonnichsen said during the prayer. The vigil ended at the statue of Father Sorin. Bonnichsen said she hoped students would continue to make Notre Dame a force for good in the world, as Father Sorin predicted. “Today, our world is torn apart with prejudice, arrogance and see VIGIL PAGE 3
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see SMC 9/11 PAGE 3
SBPD removes officer Observer Staff Report
The South Bend Police Department removed an officer involved in the arrest of Notre Dame football player Dev in Butler from patrol duties last Friday, according to the South Bend Tribune. According to the Tribune, Police Chief Scott Ruszkowski said officer Aaron Knepper w ill be kept off patrol until internal investigations into the arrest of Butler and another highprofile arrest in March 2014
are conducted. At a panel discussion on the relationship bet ween the South Bend police and minorities Thursday night, groups of protesters caused a disruption and called for the removal of Knepper, according to the Tribune. The follow ing day, Ruszkowski announced that he had removed Knepper from patrol the prev ious week. He would not disclose whether Knepper w ill be placed on leave or transferred to office duties, citing legal discretion to w ithhold
personnel records. Knepper has been involved in at least four controversial police confrontations since 2012, according to the Tribune. South Bend police officers arrested Butler outside the Linebacker Lounge early on the morning of Aug. 20 on felony charges of resisting law enforcement and batter y against a public safet y official. According to court documents, officers were dispatched after receiv ing see OFFICER PAGE 3
Roberies, assault reported Observer Staff Report
Two armed robberies and a simple assault occurred over the past five days just south of the Notre Dame campus, according to an email students received Friday night.
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The email said one of the robberies happened to a local couple at 11:35 p.m., and the other, took place at 2:20 a.m., involved a Notre Dame student. The simple assault occurred at 7:50 a.m., according to the email. The crimes are currently
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under investigation by the South Bend Police Department (SBPD), and the email encouraged students to contact SBPD if they have any information. Additionally, SBPD will have an increased presence in the area, according to the email.
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