THE
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
M I S S O U R I
S T A T E
U N I V E R S I T Y
Volume 109, Issue 17 | the-standard.org The Standard/The Standard Sports
TheStandard_MSU
More than 100 years in print @TheStandard_MSU/@Standard_Sports
MSUStandard
issuu.com/TheStandard-MSU
Martin Luther King Jr. Day March
Nina Todea/THE STANDARD
Springfield citizens march in freezing temperatures during the Martin Luther King Jr. 2016 Unity March. The theme this year is “We Stand As One.”
By Wyatt Wheeler Staff Reporter @realYitWheeler
While there were whispers amongst the crowd of the frigid winter temperatures, the fear was that there would be a significant drop-off in attendees, compared to the year before, which was highly successful. Those fears quickly went away as residents and students in Springfield gathered early Monday morning for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. March.
Springfield NAACP President Cheryl Clay was applauded by the packed house at the Gillioz Theatre in downtown Springfield when she congratulated the crowd for braving sub-zero temperatures. It was estimated in 2015 that there were around 2,000 marchers; a crowd at the Gillioz Theatre was at its near capacity of 1,130 following the march. The marchers began at the MediaCom Ice Park and made their way to the Gillioz Theatre during a march that stretched about a mile. The marchers were social amongst each other as they were led by marchers singing through a
megaphone in the front of the group. Marchers carried signs with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. quotes and the names of their organizations. Springfield Mayor Bob Stephens addressed the crowd at the Gillioz Theatre and applauded the turnout despite the weather. Mayor Stephens shared with the crowd a post he saw on Facebook inspiring people to turn out for the march in the cold temperatures. “He had the same thoughts. The weather was cold. It was u See MARCH, page 10
President Obama delivers his final State of the Union Address Foreign policy, economic growth, advancements in technology, immigration were a few of the key points in Obama’s State of the Union Address
Get legal counseling from the Bearisters
u See STATE OF THE UNION, President Obama receives applause from cabinet members after delivering his last State of the page 10 Union Address on Jan. 12. Photo/whitehouse.gov
O I N PI
N
Editorial: Political correctness
E IF
A “Beautiful Soul” visits campus
SP
S W E O
N
In the midst of a hostage situation in Iran, President Barack Obama gave his final State of the Union Address on Tuesday, Jan. 12. The news anchors of NBC Studios speculated that President Obama would discuss the American hostages taken on Tuesday when their ship’s engine broke down and they drifted into enemy territory. While foreign policy was a major topic for the president’s speech, he did not go indepth about the hostages. However, the kidnappers did release a statement saying they would release the sailors at daybreak. President Obama stressed that his first priority is to protect Americans and go after terrorist networks. In reference to the Islamic State group, President Obama said, “We just need to call them what they are, killers and fanatics who need to be rooted out…and destroyed.” President Obama said that 10,000 air strikes are taking out the Islamic State
group’s leadership and bases. He also said that if congress is serious about destroying the Islamic State group, they should take a vote to send out more military force. “Our foreign policy has to be focused on the threat from ISIL and al-Qaida,” Obama said. “Leadership means a wise application of military power.” According to Obama, America can’t save every country in danger while risking our own people and treasure. He stressed that we need to focus on protecting our nation first. However, he stated that America can work together with other countries to help those in need. President Obama opened by stating that the Union is still strong and that he didn’t just want to focus on this year, but the next five-to-10 years. He
L
By Jessica Sheley Staff Reporter @jessica_sheley
TS R O Bears to host whiteout game Sunday