The Commonwealth Times; February 6, 2017

February 6, 2017 • Vol. 58, No. 18

The independent press of Virginia Commonwealth University

News Editor

One week after his inauguration as the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump signed an executive order that indefinitely suspended admissions for Syrian refugees and limited the flow of other refugees from six other countries into the U.S. This is what the President has called “extreme vetting” of immigrants.

Following that order, demonstrations erupted across the country. Hundreds of people were detained at airports and customs offices amid widespread confusion on how to interpret the order.

On Jan. 29, VCU President Michael Rao released a statement on President Trump’s executive order keeping visa and green card holders of seven countries from entering the U.S. “Many of you have understandably expressed concern and anxiety about the impact of the U.S. Presidential Executive Order that for the next 90 days bans visa and green card holders of seven countries from entering the United States,” Rao said.

The order prohibits citizens of Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, Libya and Yemen from entering the U.S., even if they hold dual citizenship with another non-US country or are permanent residents with green cards. It also halts the admission of all refugees to the U.S. for four months.

Despite the split support from university presidents for President Trump and his actions, the question has to be asked: How will this executive order impact college students in Virginia and across the nation?

In a letter to the Virginia Tech community, President Timothy Sands said the executive order may directly impact more than 100 students.

According to Suzanne Seurattan, director of news and media at The College of William and Mary, the college has four students from the seven countries listed in the executive order.

One of the four students is out of the country and unable to re-enter for the time being.

“We are in touch with that student and the others and we want to do everything we can to assist them,” Seurattan told the Virginia Gazette.

Mohammad Khan, President of the Muslim Student Association at VCU, said a large population of VCU’s international students come from the Middle East and are here legally on visas or green cards to study.

“They’ve spent four or five years here and this is happening and they might not be able to graduate at VCU,” he added.

There are 1,600 international students at VCU from more than 100 countries, according to the VCU International Admissions office.

“We have joined with hundreds of other higher education leaders to call for continued protections and access for our students affected by the DACA program,” Rao said. “The university is working broadly to examine how we can support our community members affected by this new —continued on page 4

Trump signs his executive order on immigration, entitled “Protecting the nation from foreign terrorist entry into the United States.” The order bars all travelers from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia from entering the U.S. for 90 days. The U.S. refugee program is suspended for 120 days and Syrian refugees are indefinitely blocked from entering the U.S. Hameed Khalid Darweesh lands at John F. Kennedy airport in New York, traveling from Iraq.

Darweesh is a 53-year-old father of three and worked as an interpreter, engineer and contractor for the U.S. government in Iraq for a decade. Customs Border Patrol agents detained Darweesh for 19 hours. It is unclear how many others were also detained. The ACLU filed a lawsuit on Darweesh’s behalf.

Darweesh is released at JFK after being detained for 19 hours.

Protestors at JFK are joined by masses of people after documentary filmmaker Michael Moore tweeted: “Everybody in NYC area-- head to JFK Terminal 4 NOW! Big anti-Trump protest forming out of nowhere! Ppl mobilizing against Trump’s Muslim ban” The ACLU requests a nationwide temporary injunction on the ban.

Dale Ho, the ACLU director of the Voting Rights project, tweets that the request for a stay of deportations from Trump’s immigration order has been granted by a New York federal judge.

Obama-appointed Brooklyn judge Ann Donnelly issues a stay on the ban, stating the government was “restrained from, in any manner and by any means, removing individuals,” affected by the order. Shortly after, a U.S. District judge in Virginia blocks any action removing green card holders detained at Dulles International Airport near D.C. Immigration lawyers in Boston win a week-long restraining order against Trump’s executive action in a rare, two-judge ruling.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) does not reject Trump’s order, but states the U.S. does not have a “religious test” for entry. Sens. John McCain (R-Arizona) and Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) condemn the ban.

Trump tweets from his personal account in defense of the order.

Chief of Staff Reince Priebus states on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that green card holders will be unaffected moving forward -- a different narrative from what Dept. of Homeland Security officials said Saturday that the order would affect green-card holders and other legal visas. Another administration official said Saturday that green-card holders would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Protests, mostly at airports, continue taking place around the country to include Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fairfax, Los Angeles, Newark, New York, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. Lawyers urge immigrants from banned nations to return to the U.S. quickly in light of the temporary halt.

Press Secretary Sean Spicer doubles down on the executive order and suggests green card holders will also be scrutinized. Barack Obama issues a statement rejecting the notion Trump issued the ban on the platform of legislation implemented during his administration.

Acting Attorney General, a roll-over from the Obama Administration, Sally Yates directs the Dept. of Justice to not defend Trump’s executive order, suggesting it is unconstitutional. Trump fires her and she is replaced.

—continued on page 4

Sports

News

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Bayard Rustin

the openly gay civil rights leader who was a pivotal organizer for the

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Executive Editor

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Rams take the A-10 by storm see page 7

SARAH KING

Rider Boot Co. steps on the scene

PHOTO BY ALI JONES

Spectrum

Rider Boot Co. is at 18 W Broad St. in the arts district.

SIONA PETEROUS Spectrum Editor PHOTO BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The morning of Aug. 28, 1963 loomed larger for no civil rights activist than perhaps Bayard Rustin — in only two months he had organized the essence of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Working with A. Phillip Randolph, the head of the first predominantly black union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, Rustin was predicting about 100,000 attendees the morning of the March.

Not only was his estimate more than doubled when 250,000 people attended that day, but only four arrests were made (despite President John F. Kennedy having more than 4,000 troops ready for violent outbursts), and all those arrested were white.

Medgar Evers paid tribute to “Negro Women Freedom Fighters,” now long-time U.S. Senator from Georgia John Lewis spoke before the crowd, and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Rustin concluded the day by reading “What We Demand” — a list of the March’s 10 goals for the President and nation.

A week later, Rustin and Randolph’s faces graced the cover of Life magazine, but in large part Rustin was disenfranchised from the very movement he helped shape and cultivate, and largely for being gay.

It was not until 2013 — 26 years after his death — that President Barack Obama, the first president to openly support LGBTQ rights, awarded Rustin the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.

OPINION Church and State • 13

Executive Editor

Sat., Jan. 28

MAURA MAZUROWSKI

SPECTRUM BLM exhibit • 10

SARAH KING

Sun., Jan. 29

University leadership responds to Trump’s immigration ban

SPORTS St. Bonaventure • 7

IMMIGRATION BAN TIMELINE

Mon., Jan. 30

VA HIGHER ED. REACTS

Fri., Jan. 27

NEWS Conceal-carry • 2

Bayard Rustin points a map during a press conference four days ahead of the March on Washington in August 1963.

For Lisa and Ron Rider, opening a small business focused on artisan, high quality shoes seemed only natural.

Lisa says Ron had always looked into opening their own store and in 2011 they launched an online retail site. Five years later, in mid-November, the couple opened their first brick-

and-mortar shop in Richmond’s arts district at 18 W Broad St. Prior to launching their namesake brand, Ron worked within the shoe industry for 30 years, and was the longtime buyer of women’s and men’s shoes for Franco’s Fine Clothiers.

Ron’s own father retired from the shoe industry after working with Johnson & Murphy and Allen Edmonds for five decades.

—continued on page 11

news

The Commonwealth Times

(All data obtained from the VCU PD daily incident log)

1/29/2017 Weapons Violation 700 W. Broad St. A male subject was arrested for Possession of a Concealed Weapon. Closed. CBA Hit and Run Henry St. Deck 201 N. Henry St. A male student advised that an unknown subject struck his vehicle and fled the scene.

Pending Simple Assault 1003 W. Grace St. A male subject was arrested for Simple Assault.

Closed. CBA Shoplifting 7-11 1003 W. Grace St. An unknown female subject removed items from this location without paying for them.

Pending Threaten Bodily Harm IHOP 805 W. Grace St. A male subject advised that a known male subject threatened him at this location. Pending Aggravated Assault 900 W. Broad St. Two male subjects advised that five unknown male subjects assaulted them at this location. Pending Hit and Run West Broad St. Deck 1111 W. Broad St. An unknown subject struck the deck with their vehicle and fled the scene. Pending Drug Violation Broad and Belvidere Residence Hall 700 W. Broad St. A female student was arrested for Possession of Marijuana. Closed.

CBA

GOP pushes for victims’ right to conceal-carry without a permit

The House GOP passed a bill which would allow domestic violence victims to conceal-carry for 45 days without a permit, so long as they have applied for one.

Democrats pointed out potential safety concerns and unforeseen consequences.

NICK VERSAW Staff Writer The House of Delegates approved a bill Friday that would allow victims of domestic violence access to concealed handguns before being approved for a permit.

HB 1852 would allow people with protective orders to carry a concealed handgun as long as they apply for a permit. It was introduced by a Republican coalition of delegates including Todd Gilbert of Shenandoah County, Nick Freitas of Culpeper, Rick Morris of Suffolk County, Ron Villanueva of Virginia Beach and Michael Webert of Fauquier County.

Under current Virginia law, it is illegal to carry concealed handguns until a permit is granted – a process that can take up to 45 days after the application is filed. Gilbert said that for victims of abuse, that time can be the difference between life and death.

The bill would allow those with protective orders to carry a concealed handgun for up to 45 days without a permit as long as they have applied for one. Gilbert said this would give victims of abuse a means to defend themselves from their attackers.

“The essence of this is that we want to empower people, especially women, who find themselves in a position where they are in fear of their lives, to be able to protect themselves in a manner that they see fit,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert introduced similar legislation last year that would have allowed victims of domestic violence to receive a concealed handgun permit without the required training. That iteration passed both chambers before it was vetoed

by Gov. Terry McAuliffe last spring.

In contrast to Gilbert’s views, Del. Mark Levine (D-Alexandria) argued the bill would have unintended consequences that could put

Theft From Building Cabell Library 901 Park Ave. A female student advised that an unknown subject removed an item from this unsecured location. Pending Theft From Building W. Grace and Broad St. 1010 W. Grace St. A male student advised that an unknown subject removed currency from this location.

Pending Alcohol Violation 200 N. Belvidere St. A male subject was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Closed. CBA

1/31/2017 Harassment 901 W. Main St. A female student advised that a known male subject is sending harassing messages to her. Pending All Other Larceny 1000 Floyd Ave. A female student advised that an unknown subject removed an item from this unsecured location. Pending

To contact the VCU PD call (804) 828-1196.

For an on-campus emergency call (804) 828-1234.

For an off-campus emergency call 911.

Studies show that a gun in the home increases the risk of death by 500 percent. (...) particularly women in these situations, are less likely to use guns against someone they love than a stranger. So, unfortunately, they’re often used against themselves.

Mark Levine Delegate (D-Alexandria) to muck with the system, are seeking to seek protective orders,” Levine said. “The judge issues the protective order, and then, even if it’s prohibited under federal law … the clerk simply sees the order and the guy can now concealed carry and can do a lot of damage.”

Gilbert responded by stating the bill would do little to empower those already set on violence.

How They Voted Here is how the House of Delegates voted Friday on HB 1852 (“Concealed handguns; protective orders”).

1/30/2017 Alcohol Violation 600 W. Cary St. A male subject was arrested for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol. Closed. CBA

victims in even greater danger if an abuser connivingly pursues a protective order.

“No one wants to protect victims of domestic violence more than I, but one of the things that people tell me that practice in this area is that, increasingly, the abusers are seeking

Floor: 02/03/17 House: VOTE PASSAGE #2

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“There is this constant fallacy that we see from the anti-gun side of the aisle that people will be deterred by some new misdemeanor or some new rule or some new sign up at one of our state buildings that says, ‘No guns allowed if you mean to do mass murder in here,’” Gilbert said. He added that the bill is “not going to empower those who mean to do other people harm; it’s going to empower people against those who are going to do that very harm.”

Levine argued the mere presence of a firearm in a domestic violence dispute could lead to disaster for victims.

“I should also note that guns are not the answer to these domestic violence situations,” Levine said. “Studies show that a gun in the home increases the risk of death by 500 percent.

Five times. Part of the reason, I think, is that people, particularly women in these situations, are less likely to use guns against someone they love than a stranger. So, unfortunately, they’re often used against themselves.”

Del. Rob Bell (R-Charlottesville) said it wasn’t a politician’s place to tell victims how they can or cannot protect themselves.

“What’s extraordinary about the opposition to this bill is the condescension,” Bell said. “All we’re doing is trying to give some women the liberty to use a concealed carry when they get their protective order.”

Bell said even if Levine’s assumption is correct that maybe “it’s not right for many (women)”, that still leaves a huge percentage of women who still do.

“Women who are saying, ‘Please, let me do it.’ And, with respect, some people are saying, ‘Now listen little lady, we know better than you what’s right for you,’” Bell said.

HB 1852 was passed by a 64-31 vote on the House floor Friday and now heads to the Senate for further consideration.

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‘Constitutional carry’ shot down by senate The Senate Finance Committee shot down a bill Wednesday that would have allowed “constitutional carry” in Virginia.

SB 1440, introduced by Sen. Dick Black (R-Leesburg), would have negated the need for concealed handgun permits in Virginia by allowing all law-abiding gun owners to carry concealed weapons without a permit across the state.

Black’s bill was approved by the Senate Courts of Justice Committee on Jan. 18 by a 9-6 voice vote, but it was killed unanimously by the Senate Finance Committee last Wednesday before it could reach the full chamber.

Black introduced similar legislation in 2016, but it was defeated on the Senate floor after Republican Sen. Emmett Hanger of Mount Solon joined the 19 Democratic senators in voting against the bill, resulting in a 20-20 vote. Because of the stalemate, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, cast the deciding vote to defeat the bill.

Constitutional carry – given its name by gun rights activists who believe the right to carry concealed weapons is implied by the Second Amendment – has been a hot-button issue around the country in recent years.

Since 2015, seven states have passed similar legislation, bringing the total tally of constitutional carry states to 11. Similar bills are being considered by legislatures in Texas, New Hampshire, Georgia, South Dakota, Utah and Minnesota.

Despite the death of Black’s bill, Second Amendment advocates still have hope for the passage of constitutional carry in Virginia. Similar legislation was introduced earlier this month in the House of Delegates by Del. Ben Cline (R-Amherst).

It is currently awaiting hearing by the House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee.

Cline’s iteration of the legislation, HB 2265, must be approved by the committee and be passed by the House by Tuesday – the deadline by which all legislation must pass its originating chamber in order to be considered during the 2017 session.

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Didn’t vote O’Quinn, Speaker Howell

INFOGRAPHIC BY RACHEL LEE

CRIME LOG

In this section: Planned Parenthood.

Brain injuries. Killed bills. Super Bowl DUIs. Dominion. Weed legislation.

Bill would require proof of citizenship to register to vote JESSE ADCOCK Enterprise Editor To register to vote, Virginians would have to prove their citizenship by showing a copy of their birth certificate or their passport, under a bill approved by the House of Delegates on a party-line vote, 64-33, last Wednesday.

“I would’ve made it a requirement for any election,” said the bill’s sponsor, Republican Del. Mark Cole of Fredericksburg. “However, there’s a federal ruling that says you cannot require proof of citizenship, which really makes no sense to me.”

HB 1598 would requires people to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when they register to vote in Virginia beginning Jan. 1, 2018. Applicants who do not provide such proof could still register, but they would be able to vote in federal elections only – not in state and local elections. Each voter’s registration record would indicate whether the individual could participate in all elections or just in federal elections.

In 2014, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that states cannot require citizenship documentation for voter registration applicants using the “federal form.”

That means states can mandate the requirement only for state and local elections.

A 1993 law allows states to use their own voter registration forms as long as they also accept the federal form.

Currently, the federal form only requires voters to swear they are citizens under penalty of perjury. In Virginia, perjury can be punished

by up to 10 years in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Cole said it is appropriate to require proof of citizenship because there have been cases of non-citizens registering to vote, either inadvertently or intentionally.

President Trump has claimed, without offering proof, that millions of people voted illegally in November’s presidential election, stating that is why he lost the popular vote.

Trump has cited a study by Jesse Richman, an associate professor of political science at Old Dominion University. Richman and colleagues examined data from the Cooperative Congressional Election Study in 2014 and reported 6.4 percent of noncitizens voted in 2008 and 2.2 percent voted in 2010 in national elections.

Critics have questioned Richman’s study, saying it was based on flawed data – surveys in which respondents may have inadvertently checked a box indicating they were noncitizens.

When the bill was debated on the House floor, Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas) offered his support.

He said he has gone to offices of the Department of Motor Vehicles and witnessed noncitizens being given the opportunity to register to vote.

The federal Motor Voter Act, signed into law in 1993, requires that anyone who applies for a driver’s license must be offered the chance to register to vote.

“If we can only do it for states, I think we should do it,” Marshall said. “What (Del. Cole) is doing

is necessary. I wish we could go further.”

Del. Rip Sullivan (D-Arlington) opposed Cole’s measure. Democrats argue that many citizens may not be able to produce a birth certificate or other documentation that the bill would require – and so they wouldn’t be able to vote in state and local elections.

“When we pass this legislation, we will be saying to a portion of Virginians, ‘You can’t vote,’” Sullivan said. “We will be creating an entire class of second-class citizens.”

Sullivan cited a statistic that

5.7 percent of voting-age residents do not have a copy of their birth certificate or a passport.

That would represent more than 320,000 of Virginia’s currently registered voters.

“A – it’s expensive to get a passport,” Sullivan said. “B – they may not do any traveling. And people don’t have copies of their birth certificates.”

Del. Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax) said there is no reason to make people prove their citizenship when they register to vote because they must swear they are citizens under

threat of perjury.

“I think that committing a felony to vote in an election is something that no noncitizen in their right mind would do,” Sickles said.

“It’s not happened.”

Many news organizations and other groups have looked for incidents of voter fraud and found they are rare. The Washington Post found 31 credible cases of impersonation fraud of more than 1 billion votes during elections from 2000 to 2014.

PHOTO BY DENISE CROSS

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The federal form currently only requires voters to swear they are citizens under penalty of perjury.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, February 6, 2017

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Capitol rally calls on state help for brain injuries “Forty-two ... I think I’m 42,” Mike Drury of Leesburg, Virginia, said with a smile. A car accident in 2011 left Drury with a traumatic brain injury that affects his cognitive abilities.

But that didn’t stop him from traveling to the state Capitol for the 14th annual Brain Injury Awareness Day. After meeting with legislators, dozens of survivors, advocates and caretakers of people with brain injuries held a rally Wednesday to call for improvements in services for disabled Virginians.

In October the state cut $375,000 in funds for brain injury services because of a budget deficit, the rally’s organizers said.

“There are still so many unserved areas that don’t have any brain injury services at all in Virginia,” said Krystal Thompson, executive director of Brain Injury Services of Southwest Virginia.

“We need a lot more funding to reach the scope of the problem.”

Several lawmakers across the aisle have introduced budget amendments to help people with brain injuries: · Sen. Janet Howell (D-Fairfax County) and Del. Brenda Pogge (R-James City County) have proposed restoring the $375,000 that was cut last year. · Sen. John Edwards (D-Roanoke) and Del. Nick Rush (RMontgomery County) want to provide an additional $1 million to expand and support brain injury services in Virginia. · Pogge and Sen. David Marsden (D-Fairfax County) have called for improvements in collecting and analyzing data about

Virginians with brain injuries and the services they need.

“There’s a lot of data of brain injury that’s sort of scattered all over the place,” said Anne McDonnell, executive director of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia. “We’d like it to be consolidated in one place so we can make some plans for the coming wave of individuals that are going to need care.”

Nearly 168,000 Virginians are disabled as a result of a traumatic brain injury, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With more funding, McDonnell hopes to provide care for more people with such injuries.

“It’s a rare privilege to watch a brain come back online,” McDonnell said.

Among the people at the rally was 15-year-old Maya Simbulan.

In 2009, she was getting ready for a school play when she fell down a flight of stairs at home and suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Simbulan, a sophomore at Lake Braddock High School in Fairfax County, said she owes her recovery to Brain Injury Services, a nonprofit organization based in the Springfield. The group helps residents of Northern Virginia find rehabilitation resources, manage the effects of their injuries and connect with people with similar problems.

“Sky’s the limit. We want Maya to get every opportunity everyone else gets, and that’s what we’re here to do,” said Simbulan’s case manager, Brooke Annessa.

Annessa has been with Brain Injury Services since 2009. In 2011, she adopted her daughter, Addie, who had suffered anoxic brain damage, which is caused by a lack of oxygen. Last Wednesday

was Addie’s fifth birthday.

Addie doesn’t talk yet. Shortly after her injury, Annessa brought Addie to Brain Injury Services.

There, the girl was handed an iPad with Proloquo2Go, a symbol-based “augmented alternative communication” app to help her express herself.

Within the first day of using the

iPad, Addie was speaking through the app. A month later, she was constructing sentences.

“That little bit of hope, that little bit of proof, is what got me more services at school for her,” Annessa said. “I was able to show she is smart, she is understanding – she just can’t explain that to you.”

PHOTOS BY MAURA MAZUROWSKI

MAURA MAZUROWSKI News Editor

Fifteen-year-old Maya Simbulan is a sophomore at Lake Braddock high school. She traveled with her father to the rally.

Dozens of survivors, advocates and caretakers held a rally last Wednesday, calling for improvements in state services.

Senator is ‘shocked’ to think money buys influence

I happen to believe public policy should be decided on the merits and not based on donations.”

Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) Dominion officials have criticized Petersen’s proposal to ban the company from making political donations, saying it would violate free speech rights. They also have criticized Petersen’s stand on other energyrelated issues.

“Not only has Sen. Petersen introduced legislation to roll back advancements in solar energy and payment assistance for low-income families, but now he’s against the First Amendment,” said Dominion spokesman David Botkins.

In 2010, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that corporations uphold the right to make political expenditures under the First Amendment’s guaranteed freedom of speech.

“Our 16,200 employees – 9,000 of whom work in Virginia – are proud of the role we play in helping the commonwealth grow and improve,” Botkins said. “We believe our democracy works best when all participate, not when government chooses who can speak and who cannot.”

According to VPAP data, the 12 members of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee who voted to kill the bill to resume reviewing Dominion’s rates received a total of more than $729,000 in donations from the company.

The two committee members who voted against killing the bill also received contributions from Dominion, totaling about $30,000.

Petersen himself has accepted $22,519 in campaign donations from Dominion since 2001, according to VPAP.

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Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax) filed SB 1593 on Jan. 25 because, he said, state lawmakers shouldn’t take money from public utilities that are regulated by the General Assembly and other state agencies.

“Monopolies like Dominion or Appalachian Power have an undue influence on the political process,” Petersen said.

Because he introduced his bill after the filing deadline, Petersen needed the unanimous consent of the Senate to proceed. After two senators objected to the legislation, Petersen officially withdrew the proposal Tuesday. He plans to reintroduce the bill next year, according to Alex Parker, Petersen’s political director.

SB 1593 sought to forbid any candidate for the General Assembly or statewide office from accepting donations from “public service corporations” – such as power and telephone companies regulated by the State Corporation Commission.

In a speech on the Senate floor Monday, Petersen said those corporations use political donations to influence legislative decisions.

“I happen to believe that public policy should be decided on the merits and not based on donations,” he said.

But the bill stood little chance from the start. Attempts to alter Virginia’s campaign finance system, which allows unlimited donations from people and corporations as long as politicians publicly disclose the contributions, have been unsuccessful in the past.

The closest the state has come to ethics reform was in 2015 when the General Assembly passed legislation to put a $100 limit on gifts and travel from lobbyists or those with business before the state.

Petersen filed SB 1593 after losing a fight over another bill, SB 1095, to increase regulation of electric utilities in Virginia.

Until 2015, the State Corporation Commission conducted biennial rate reviews of power companies.

If the SCC found that a company was making excessive profits, it could order the utility to lower its rates.

But in 2015, the General Assembly passed legislation to suspend the rate reviews for Dominion and Appalachian Power for five years because the companies said they were facing uncertain costs of complying with the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan, which ordered states to cut carbon emissions.

Because of a lawsuit, the Clean Power Plan was never implemented, and the Trump administration intends to dismantle it.

SB 1095 sought to roll back the 2015 legislation and let the State Corporation Commission resume conducting rate reviews of Dominion and Appalachian Power.

“I think rate review will show that utilities have made a financial windfall off the legislation we passed in 2015,” Petersen said.

His rate review bill died on Jan. 16 on a 12-2 vote in the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. The bill’s defeat prompted Petersen to file his measure to prohibit legislators from taking campaign donations from regulated monopolies – and to deliver a “personal privilege” speech on the Senate floor.

“Now I know, and in one of those ‘gambling at

Va. senators voted on SB 1095, which sought to resume reviewing Dominion’s electric rates

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Everybody at the state Capitol saw this coming: the death of a bill to prohibit Dominion, the single largest corporate donor in Virginia politics, from giving campaign contributions to legislators, the governor and other public officials.

Rick’s’ moments, I decided, or some people mentioned to me, that maybe donations made within this body or any body, does have some impact on public policy,” Petersen told his colleagues.

“Now I know, I’m shocked myself to hear that, but I thought it was worth putting forward legislation that would limit, if not prohibit, donations made by public service corporations, which are the very same monopolies that were subject to the jurisdiction of the State Corporation Commission in setting their prices, that would limit and prohibit those donations, to not only members of this body, but also to the third floor, and public officials that sit in judgment of those bodies.”

The “third floor” was a reference to the governor’s office.

Dominion has given more than $1.3 million to Virginia political campaigns since 2015 and about $14.4 million since the late 1990s, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project.

Supporters of the 2015 legislation suspending the rate reviews say it was a good deal for consumers. Under that law, Dominion agreed to freeze its base rates, which make up over half of customers’ electric bills, for five years.

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executive order.”

Rao advised those from the restricted countries to avoid nonessential travel outside the country for the time being.

During the 2015-16 school year, Iran sent more than 12,000 students to study at U.S. universities, according to the Institute of International Education. This is far more than any other country on President Trump’s list.

University presidents across the state shared similar statements.

University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan issued a school-wide statement 30 minutes before Trump protesters gathered at the Rotunda on Jan. 29.

“We are concerned about the larger effect this and related actions may have on American universities, including U.Va., as we seek to expose students to international experiences,” Sullivan said.

The next day, James Madison University President Jonathan Alger addressed students, faculty and staff on the matter.

“We are a stronger and better university because of our global outreach and our commitment to access, inclusion and diversity. This commitment serves as one of our core qualities at JMU,” Alger said.

Additional Virginia university presidents who released a statement include Ángel Cabrera (George Mason University), Troy Paino (University of Mary Washington), John Broderick (Old Dominion University), Ronald Crutcher (University of Richmond), Taylor Reveley (The College of William and Mary) and more.

A handful of university presidents across the state did not issue statements, including Brian Hemphill of Radford University and Makola Abdullah of Virginia State University.

Jerry Falwell, Jr., the president of Liberty University and an evangelical leader, was among the university presidents who did not issue a statement. In January 2016, amid student protests, Falwell endorsed President Trump’s campaign, and on Feb. 1, President Trump asked Falwell to lead a White House task force dedicated to changing higher education.

President Trump attended Liberty University and Radford University for campaign rallies on Jan. 18, 2016 and Feb. 29, 2016, respectively.

Schools across the country have current students who are worried they won’t be allowed back into the U.S. if they leave, prospective students who may not be allowed in at all and faculty who are from the banned countries and fear they will be denied re-entry if they try to visit sick family members or relatives outside the country.

“Our commitment to our international students, faculty, staff and patients is unwavering,” Rao said. “We will continue to do everything within the law to support and advocate for the international members of our community.”

Wed., Feb. 1

—continued from page 1

Attorney General Mark Herring announces Virginia is taking legal action against Trump’s executive order. Herring called the order “unconstitutional and unlawful.” The case, Aziz v. Trump, was filed Saturday by Tareq Aqel Mohammed Aziz, Ammar Aqel Mohammed Aziz, Aqel Mohammed Aziz and John Does 1-60 as a civil action after the individuals were detained at Dulles International Airport.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan breaks his silence to criticize Trump’s order as “regrettable,” but defends the underlying policy.

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright says the ban creates a “religious preference” in the immigration system.

The Department of Homeland Security said on Tuesday only 721 people with visas had not been allowed to board airplanes to the U.S. in the first 72 hours after the order went into effect.

The State Department revokes visas, barring immigrants from the listed countries from boarding planes, despite federal court orders stating otherwise. New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, Minnesota and Washington state all have sued the federal government regarding the order.

Fri., Feb. 3

Virginia higher ed. responds to Trump

Tue., Jan. 31

The Commonwealth Times

Sun., Feb. 5

4

TIMELINE INFORMATION COMPILED FROM THE BOSTON GLOBE, NPR, WASHINGTON POST, NEW YORK TIMES, THE GUARDIAN, ASSOCIATED PRESS AND CT REPORTS.

JESSE ADCOCK Enterprise Editor A bill intending to remedy wage discrimination by prohibiting employers from asking interviewees for their salary history was killed last Tuesday by the House Commerce and Labor Committee.

“There is convincing evidence that sex discrimination in the workplace continues to be a problem,” said Leslie Tourigny, vice president of public policy for the Virginia branch of the American Association of University Women. “That’s not a myth – that’s math.”

HB 2190 was introduced by Democratic Del. Jennifer Boysko of Herndon. The bill proposed to make it illegal for employers to require applicants to disclose past salaries. It sought to make obtaining an employee’s salary history from previous employers illegal as well.

Each violation would have been punishable by a civil penalty of up to $100 per violation.

Boysko said employers should base the salary of prospective employees on their ability and knowledge rather than what they’ve made in the past. This would be a valuable step in closing the pay gaps that exist between demographics, said the delegate, who represents the 86th House District, which includes parts of Loudoun and Fairfax counties.

“Women of color, older women and moms experience an even larger pay gap,” Tourigny said.

“It doesn’t just impact women – it impacts families, it impacts business, and impacts the economy.”

According to the AAUW, women in Virginia made 78 percent of what men made in 2015.

A recent study by the AAUW found that one year after graduation, women who were working full time made 7 percent less than their male counterparts.

In April 2016, the Joint Economic Council found that at the current rate, the gender pay gap will not close until 2059.

According to Tourigny, using prior salary to calculate future pay only compounds the problem, hurting women and people of color.

“If we rely on salary history to set future salary, that assumes prior salaries were fairly established in the first place,” Tourigny said. “It just continues bias and discrimination.”

Opponents of the bill said it would backfire and hurt employees.

“We think employers ought to have f lexibility to ask these questions. Particularly for small business owners, it helps to understand the market for the position they’re trying to fill,” said Nicole Riley, Virginia director for the National Federation of Independent Business.

According to Riley, this would lead to employers lowballing the salaries of new employees.

“To make it a one-size-fitsall, I think you carry with it unintended consequences,” said Del. Kathy Byron, R-Forest, the vice chair of the House Commerce and Labor Committee.

“What can happen is, by demanding things out of business you can put us at a disadvantage for getting hired.”

The committee tabled the bill on a voice vote. Legislation similar to Boysko’s is being considered in other states and at the federal level. Last year, Massachusetts adopted such a law. It will take effect in 2018.

In September, H.R. 6030, called the “Pay Equity for All Act of 2016,” was introduced in Congress by U.S. Rep. Eleanor Norton Holmes, who represents Washington, D.C. It would make it illegal at the federal level for employers to ask for salary histories.

The State Department said earlier Friday that it had already revoked some 60,000 visas. The State Department then said “roughly 60,000 individuals’ visas were provisionally revoked,” but a Justice Department attorney said in federal court in Virginia that 100,000 visas were revoked as a result of the order.

A federal appeals court denied Trump’s attempt to restore his travel ban on refugees and visa holders, creating confusion and chaos as persons tried to board planes while it’s legal once again for them to enter the country.

The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals asked those opposed to the ban to file their opposition to Trump’s appeal by 3 a.m. EST Monday, and for the Justice Department, representing Trump’s administration, to reply by 6 p.m. Previously-approved refugees and green-card holders are able enter the U.S. until further notice.

Protesters want Richmond to be a ‘sanctuary’ JESSICA NOLTE Contributing Writer With a spirited demonstration and an online petition, opponents of President Donald Trump are urging Richmond to designate itself as a “sanctuary city” for immigrants.

About 300 protesters gathered outside the Federal Courthouse on Jan. 30 to send that message.

“We are here to defy the white supremacist regime that is in the White House,” said Justice Valentine, one of the organizers. The rally was called ICE Out of RVA – a reference to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

“To me, a sanctuary city looks like communities forging their own livelihood and deciding what safety and security looks like for them,” Valentine said.

A sanctuary city is also a place without prisons so people are not locked up unconstitutionally or for reasons rooted in stereotypes based on a person’s skin color or socioeconomic class, Valentine said.

Protesters are circulating an online petition to present to Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney at City Hall on Feb. 6.

“Tell our mayor and city council to stand up to Trump and take action that doesn’t just symbolically defend immigrants, but transforms our city’s policies to stop targeting us for imprisonment, risk of removal and state violence at the hands of police and aggressive immigration agents,” the petition states.

As of Jan. 31, it had garnered almost 1,000 signatures.

Last week, Trump issued an executive order to cut federal funding to cities that have declared

themselves as sanctuaries for undocumented immigrants.

The demonstrators also criticized Trump’s order banning people traveling from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Trump said his action will keep Americans safe from terrorists; the protesters disagreed.

On a 10-year average, the number of Americans killed annually by Islamic jihadist immigrants is two, compared to 737 killed by falling out of bed, said Nora Ramadan, who spoke at the rally.

“People from Yemen, Sudan, Iran and Middle Eastern countries are not our enemies,” Ramadan said. “You can’t possibly go with the mindset that these people are terrorists.”

Many people at the two-hour rally carried signs, while several cars drove by honking their horns and cheering out the window to offer their support. Between speakers, the demonstrators joined in chanting: “No borders. No walls. Trump has got to go.”

“Tell me what democracy looks like…” “This is what democracy looks like.”

“No hate. No fear. Immigrants are welcome here.”

One of the speakers was Antonio Espinoza, an associate professor of Latin American studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.

“I am not here officially for VCU, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that many of my colleagues and me are extremely concerned,” Espinoza said.

He said he is particularly concerned for young people who have been protected from deportation under former President Barack Obama’s order called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Trump has said he would revoke the DACA

policy.

The rally called for action not only by Richmond city government but also by the Virginia General Assembly.

The demonstrators planned to attend a legislative hearing this afternoon to offer support for HR 303, introduced by Del. Alfonso Lopez, DArlington. The resolution states, “Resolved, that the House of Delegates hereby denounce the intimidation of the Commonwealth’s residents, affirm the commitment to diversity, and safeguard the civil rights and dignity of all Virginians.”

Organizers thanked Lopez and Del. Mark Levine, D-Alexandria, for attending the rally not to speak but to listen.

The protesters oppose several bills before the General Assembly. These included SB 1262, introduced by Sen. Richard Black, R-Loudoun County. It would make sanctuary cities liable for injury to a person or damage to property “caused by an illegal alien”.

HB 2002, filed by Del. Charles Poindexter, R-Franklin County, was also discussed. The bill would require nonprofit resettlement agencies to tell state authorities about the refugees and immigrants they help settle in Virginia. The agencies would have to report the age, gender and country of origin of each individual they assist and identify the locality where the individual was placed.

During the rally, the news broke that acting Attorney General Sally Yates had instructed the Justice Department’s lawyers not to defend Trump’s immigration executive order. The news was met with roaring cheers and applause from the crowd.

Trump immediately fired Yates.

PHOTO BY MAURA MAZUROWSKI

Committee kills bill intended to close the wage gap

A federal judge in Seattle issued a nationwide temporary stay against Trump’s executive order. Judge James Robart, a George W. Bush appointee, stopped implementation of the order while a case brought by the states of Washington and Minnesota is heard. The White House issued a statement Friday night saying the Justice Department will appeal the action.

Demonstrators gathered outside the Federal Court House in protest of Donald Trump.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, February 6, 2017

Super Bowls yield more DUIs, traffic deaths

.15 +

15 20 1-

For more information and tips on how to prevent drunken driving, visit the organization’s website, www.wrap.org.

BA C

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To many Americans, Super Bowl Sunday means football and partying. For the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, it means an increase in traffic deaths caused by drunken driving.

From 2011 through 2015, according to federal data, 37 percent of all fatal crashes on the day of and morning after the Super Bowl involved driving under the influence.

“With over a third of all U.S. traffic deaths being caused by drunk drivers during Super Bowl Sunday, it’s important to have a game plan to beat this opponent,” said Kurt Gregory Erickson, president of WRAP, a nonprofit group that advocates safe driving.

WRAP has a list of tips to prevent drunk driving. It includes assigning a designated driver, using a taxi or ride-sharing service, drinking and serving non-alcoholic beverages, and wearing your seat belt.

“Wearing a seat belt may not be widely viewed as a tool in this effort, but the wearing of a seat belt may be your best defense against a drunk driver,” Erickson said. “The routine wearing of seat belts is the single most effective measure to reduce crash related deaths and injuries.”

The Falls Church-based organization also encourages people to report suspected drunken drivers they see to the police. Dialing “#77” on a mobile phone will connect you to the Virginia State Police.

Su pe

AMELIA HEYMANN Contributing Writer

INFOGRAPHIC BY SARAH BUTLER SOURCE: ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION BY THE WASHINGTON REGIONAL ALCOHOL PROGRAM

14 Drive rs with BAC .08-.

Super Bowl Year

Deaths with BAC .08-.14

Deaths with BAC .15+

Total deaths

2011

9

20

76

2012

9

24

89

2013

10

25

93

2014

5

22

77

2015

11

14

69

Total

44

105

404

Va. weed laws could become more relaxed SARAROSE MARTIN Staff Writer Virginia won’t be pulling a Colorado by decriminalizing marijuana this year. But the state might relax its penalties for possessing marijuana and its rules on who can use marijuana products for medical reasons.

Legislators this session introduced more than a dozen marijuana-related proposals. A Senate committee killed two bills to decriminalize the substance on Jan. 23.

But lawmakers seem amenable to making marijuana products more available for medical purposes and to being more lenient with Virginians convicted of simple possession of marijuana. Still, those bills have drawn opposition from certain legislators, highlighting a cultural divide within the General Assembly.

That divide was evident in debate over a bill allowing Virginians with cancer, glaucoma, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and several other illnesses to use cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil, which are extracted from marijuana. Under current law, only people with intractable epilepsy can use those oils.

Cannabidiol oil and THC-A are non-psychoactive: they cannot be smoked or get users high. Even so, SB 1298 sparked debate; 11 of the 40 senators voted against it.

Sen. Dick Black (R-Loudoun) recalled returning from serving in the Marines in Vietnam in the 1960s.

“Pot was the biggest thing, and we had just simply had a collapse of good order and discipline,” Black told his Senate colleagues. “I know where we’re headed; I can see a slippery slope. I do not want to see this country go back where it was in the ’60s and the ’70s, because believe me it was not pretty. It was the worst of all times I have lived through.”

SB 1298 was sponsored by Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-Winchester). She acknowledged there has been opposition to adding a dozen diseases to the list of ailments that qualify for a marijuana-extract oil.

But making the treatment available to people with severe diseases doesn’t impose a public safety risk, Vogel said.

“Not only does it lack side effects but it also has really healing properties. There has been some quibbling over the breadth of the list. But if you have someone in your family with a debilitating genetic disorder or is dying a painful death from one of these diseases, which one are you going to pick?”

Vogel said.

Three other bills before the General Assembly seek to expand medical uses of marijuana. The most expansive is HB 2135, introduced by Del. Mark Levine (D-Alexandria). It would allow a physician to recommend and a pharmacist to distribute marijuana or THC for treatment of any medical condition. The bill is awaiting a hearing in the House Courts of Justice Committee.

The other bills are more limited. HB 1637, sponsored by Del. Glenn Davis (R-Virginia Beach), would let people with Crohn’s disease use cannabidiol oil or THC-A oil. And SB 1452, by Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, would do the same for people

with cancer. Davis’ bill is before a committee. The Senate is voting on Lucas’ measure this week.

Legislators also filed three bills that sought to decriminalize possession of up to a half-ounce of marijuana. Currently, that offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine and 30 days in jail; defendants also lose their driver’s license for six months.

Under bills filed by Lucas (SB 908) and Del. Steve Heretick (D-Portsmouth), HB 1906, simple possession of marijuana would draw a civil penalty up to $250 for a first violation. Under SB 1269 by Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria), a first offender would face a civil fine of no more than $100.

Last week, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee voted unanimously to kill Ebbin’s and Lucas’ bills.

The corresponding committee in the House has yet to hold a hearing on Heretick’s bill.

It’s safe to say that Virginia won’t be joining Colorado and seven other states, as well as Washington, D.C., in legalizing recreational marijuana. But it’s likely the General Assembly will lessen the penalties associated with simple marijuana possession.

The Senate has passed one bill to do that: SB 1091, sponsored by Ebbin. Under the measure, the state would no longer automatically suspend the driver’s license of an adult convicted of marijuana possession. The bill, which the Senate passed 38-2 last week, says juveniles still would be subject to a six-month suspension of their driver’s license.

Del. Les Adams (R-Chatham) is carrying a companion bill, HB 2051, in the House. The House Courts of Justice Committee unanimously approved the bill last week and sent it to the full House of Delegates for consideration.

MARIJUANA FAST FACTS

28 states have legalized marijuana for medical reasons. Washington D.C., too!

less addictive

than Weed is any other drug out there. Studies suggest

less than 10%

of users that will wind up psychologically dependent on it. (while 15% of alcohol users get hooked)

half

of all Americans have Almost already tried it. According to a National

49%

Institutes of Health survey in 2012, of those polled had tried weed at one time in their lives.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Bayard Rustin

—continued from page 1

day traffic dea n u ths lS w 20 o B 1 r

5

Rustin’s sexuality was a recurring theme in the obstacles he faced as a civil rights activist. In 1953 he was arrested on a morals charge for having sex in a car with two white men.

In 1960, another black leader, Rep. Adam Clayton Powell Jr. from New York, threatened to tell the press Rustin and King were gay lovers if they did not halt planning a march together outside of the Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.

King folded and distanced himself from Rustin, despite Rustin having helped organize King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1956-57 and introducing him to Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent principles after traveling to India in 1948.

“We need in every community a group of angelic troublemakers,” Rustin wrote after returning to the U.S. from India. “The only weapon we have is our bodies, and we need to tuck them in places so wheels don’t turn.”

After Rustin’s departure from the SCLC, and largely on the outs with other prominent southern civil rights leaders, Randolph adopted Rustin as a mentee. Randolph’s approach to civil rights was much more grounded in the intersection between economics and racism.

“What Rustin took away from Randolph, especially, is the recognition that economic issues and racial justice are completely intertwined,” wrote John D’Emilio in his 2003 biography “Lost Prophet: The Life and Times of Bayard Rustin.”

In May 1963 the Birmingham Police infamously took fire hoses and attack dogs to protesters under commissioner Bull Conner.

The media attention forced President Kennedy to address action surrounding a civil rights bill, and suddenly the idea of a national-scale march seemed more ideal.

“King, who had not shown much interest in the earlier overtures from Rustin and Randolph, began to talk excitedly about a national mobilization, as if the idea were brand new,” D’Emilio wrote.

Rustin and King met in Alabama and agreed on the march focusing on “Jobs and Freedom.” The march would be led and planned around the “Big Six” civil rights groups: the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), King’s SCLC, the National Urban League, the NAACP and Randolph’s Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

But Rustin’s role in planning was again called into question because of his sexuality, and the NAACP’s Roy Wilkins refused to allow him to be the front man.

“This march is of such importance that we must not put a person of his liabilities at the head,” Wilkins said, according to D’Emilio.

Instead, Randolph took on the role of director and Rustin became his deputy. Just three weeks before the March, Rustin again faced controversy for being gay — this time on the floor of U.S. Senate from Strom Thurmond of South Carolina.

Thurmond read from Rustin’s FBI file and publicly denounced him for being gay and an ex-communist (he had briefly aligned with the Communist Youth League in college, hence launching President J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI file on him).

The march and its planning persisted, however, and ultimately proved a huge success.

In the years following the march, Rustin continued advocating for civil rights, but his focus eventually shifted toward equal rights for LGBTQ citizens. He worked to bring the AIDS crisis to the NAACP’s attention once stating, “The barometer for judging the character of people in regard to human rights is now those who consider themselves gay, homosexual, lesbian.”

Rustin passed away on Aug. 24, 1987, just four days before the March on Washington’s 24th anniversary, at the age of 75. He is survived by his partner, Walter Neagle.

“He saw (LGBTQ rights) as another challenge, another barrier that had to be broken down — a larger struggle for human rights and for individual freedoms,” Neagle said.

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Women may be able to buy a year’s worth of birth control AMELIA HEYMANN Contributing Writer Virginia women finally would be able to obtain a year’s worth of birth control at one time if prescribed by a doctor, under a bill going forward in the House of Delegates.

The House Commerce and Labor Committee advanced the Birth Control Access Act, HB 2267, sponsored by Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Springfield).

The committee unanimously voted for the bill Thursday and sent it to the full House for approval.

The bill states, “Any health benefit plan that is amended, renewed, or delivered on or after January 1, 2018, that provides coverage for hormonal contraceptives shall cover up to a 12-month supply of hormonal contraceptives when dispensed or furnished at one time for a covered person by a provider or pharmacy or at a location licensed or otherwise authorized to dispense drugs or supplies.”

Doug Gray, executive director of the Virginia Association of Health Plans,

PHOTO BY CASEY COLE

news

The Commonwealth Times

said current insurance policies generally allow 90 days’ worth of prescription to be mailed at a time. People can check an “automatic refill” box and automatically receive a refill as a prescription starts to run out. Gray said HB 2267 would make birth control more accessible.

The existing law for prescription contraceptives does not specify the amount that can be prescribed at once. FillerCorn’s bill would solve that vagueness.

“We applaud the bipartisan vote,” said Tarina Keene, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia. “It’s a rare moment in Richmond when a prochoice, proactive women’s health bill is advanced on a bipartisan basis.”

While Republicans voted to pass this bill, they are also pushing forward a bill introduced by Del. Ben Cline (R-Lexington), which would end state funding for Planned Parenthood. (SEE SIDEBAR) Pro-choice activists noted that Cline voted in favor of the Birth Control Access Act and at the same time is working to defund an organization that widely distributes contraception.

The access bill is geared toward

hormonal birth control, also called “the pill.” According to a 2011 study by the University of California, women who receive only three months of birth control at a time are more likely to lapse on taking the pill or stop taking it altogether.

In economic terms, the pill can cost $160 to $600 a year, and the cost of a birth is $18,329-$27,866, according to a CNN report in 2013. The cost of raising a child is around $12,500 per year per child. Economically speaking, it’s cheaper to give women a year’s worth of birth control rather than have an unintended, increased-risk pregnancy.

Among the access bill’s advocates was Margie Del Castillo, associate director of community mobilization with the NLIRH Virginia Latina Advocacy Network.

“Continuous access to contraception helps Latinxs plan their families and their futures, improving their health and well-being,” Del Castillo said in a statement. “This bill will provide a 12-month supply of oral contraceptives for Latinxs in Virginia and help in the fight against the health inequities that currently exist in our community.”

Bill to defund Planned Parenthood advances MEGAN CORSANO & AMELIA HEYMANN Contributing Writers Planned Parenthood clinics in Virginia could lose their federal Title X funding under a bill that cleared the House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee on Thursday.

HB 2264, introduced by Del. Ben Cline (R-Amherst) was reported by the Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions in an 11-7 vote. It happened during the committee’s final meeting before “crossover day” – Tuesday’s deadline for bills to clear their chamber of origin. Cline’s proposal now goes to the full House of Delegates.

The committee’s swift decision was accompanied by no comments from Cline or members of the audience about the bill.

The bill would “prohibit the Department of Health from spending any funds on an abortion that is not qualified for matching funds under the Medicaid program or providing any grants or other funds to any entity that performs such abortions,” according to a summary by the Legislative Information System.

Title X funding is vital to organizations like Planned Parenthood because it is the only federal program that provides grants for reproductive and family planning services. Republicans on the state and national level have been trying to stop Planned Parenthood from receiving this fund because the organization provides abortions.

Planned Parenthood officials say abortions make up about 3 percent of the group’s services. Most of its services are for testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases, contraception and cancer screening and prevention.

During a subcommittee meeting earlier in the week, Cline said his bill would give priority to more than 140 federally qualified and rural health clinics in Virginia. He said the bill would make sure money is sent to “health clinics that meet the needs of those populations they serve in the most comprehensive manner possible,” instead of to clinics that provide abortions.

While Cline’s bill is moving forward, Democratic-sponsored bills regarding women’s health care have been having a

hard time even getting heard, Del. Jennifer Boysko (D-Herndon) said at a press briefing held by the Women’s Equality Coalition on Thursday.

One such bill is HB 2186, called the Whole Woman’s Health Act, which Boysko filed to give women easier access to abortions services.

Boysko’s bill was assigned to the House Courts of Justice Committee, chaired by Del. David Albo (R-Fairfax).

The panel has not held a hearing on HB 2186. Albo wrote a letter to Boysko saying the committee had only one meeting left before crossover.

“The Committee historically kills bills associated with liberal politics,” the letter said. “If we did spend effort in hearing these bills, then we would have much less time to review the bills that actually have a chance to become law.”

Many speakers at the news conference were outraged that Albo didn’t let the bill have a hearing.

“Quite frankly, it is ridiculous and it is offensive for Del. Albo or any legislator to claim that they are simply too busy to do the job,” said Anna Scholl, executive director for Progress Virginia.

“Del. Albo wasn’t too busy to spend many hours of this legislature’s time regaling us with his tails of trying to resell his Iron Maiden tickets, and insisting that the legislature find time to fix that particular problem of his,” Scholl said. “If Del. Albo can find time to write laws to make sure he can resell his concert tickets, he can certainly find the time to hold a hearing on issues that impact more than half of the population.”

Margie Del Castillo, associate director of community mobilization for the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, also criticized Albo.

“Virginia women are workers. We sometimes hold down multiple jobs, we raise families, we take care of elderly family members, and we’re active members of our society,” Castillo said.

“Women already do so much with the 24 hours that we have in a day. Our legislators here in Richmond are here full time … It seems that Del. Albo and the House GOP leadership could take a lesson from the women in Virginia on time management.”

Currently in Virginia women can only be prescribed three-months worth of birth control at a time.

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Monday, February 6, 2017

sports

7

Stat of the Week

Kareem Payne of men’s track and field set a new 60-meter dash PR at the Villanova Invitational last weekend. His time was 6.84 seconds.

RAMS TAKE ATLANTIC 10

BY STORM ZACH JOACHIM Sports Editor VCU Men’s Basketball reeled off a pair of pivotal conference wins last week in the most dramatic fashion possible. The Rams defeated crosstown rival the University of Richmond at the Siegel Center Wednesday night 81-74 before heading up to the frigid Allegheny foothills of New York, where they downed St. Bonaventure University 83-77 in overtime, with a little assist from the Bonnies’ student body.

The 77th edition of the Capitol Classic lived up to the hype once again, as the Black and Gold came out of a knock-down-drag-out war with the Spiders bruised, battered and victorious by a final tally of 8174. The back and forth affair featured 10 ties and 10 lead changes.

Junior forward Justin Tillman was once again a catalyst for the Rams. He finished with a teamhigh 18 points and 9 rebounds — his third consecutive outing with 9 boards and double-figure scoring.

“It means a lot to us (what Justin’s been doing),” said redshirt-senior forward Mo Alie-Cox. “When he plays at that level it takes our team to another level. It opens things up for me and (Ahmed) Hamdy, and when they can’t help off him as much it opens up the lane for the guards to drive. What he’s doing is amazing, he’s playing like an all-conference player.”

Tillman was not the only VCU big-man who dominated the paint on this night.

Alie-Cox bounced back from a slew of sub-par performances by his standards to chip in 13 points and 4 rebounds. Fellow senior-forward Ahmed Hamdy contributed 9 points and 4 boards in just 15 minutes of action. The Rams outscored U of R 44-40 in the paint.

“All three of our big guys played really well,” said coach Will Wade.

“It was nice to see Mo bounce back after a few tough games for him.

Hamdy did a great job, Tillman played with high energy which I don’t want to overlook, even though it’s become standard for him.”

“There are very few teams which play three (guards) around two (forwards),” said Richmond coach Chris Mooney. “They are very committed to that. It’s a huge strength of theirs.”

We knew this game wasn’t just for us, we were playing for our fan base, our faculty and everybody who’s associated with VCU. Mo Alie-Cox Senior, forward In addition to the dominance down low, the Black and Gold were able to speed up their opposition with constant full court, man-to-man pressure. The Spiders turned the ball over 11 times, and the Rams converted the subsequent transition opportunities into 17 points. Senior starting guard Doug Brooks procured four steals, leading all players in the category, and

PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON

RICHMOND

Starting senior guard JeQuan Lewis is coach Wade’s go-to-guy in the clutch — he sunk a game-tying technical free throw Saturday with only a half second left. ranks seventh nationally in steal percentage (5.3).

“Their best offensive weapon is in transition,” Mooney said. “They were able to use that to capitalize on our live-ball turnovers.”

Multiple players said after the game Wade had a surprise motivational tool for them in the locker room prior to tip-off, designed to make sure they knew the ramifications of the annual inter-city tussle for supremacy.

“Coach showed us a video before the game of our fans, and it showed us the pride they have for our school and our city,” AlieCox said. “We knew this game wasn’t just for us, we were playing for our fan base, our faculty and everybody who’s associated with VCU. We wanted to send them home happy...y’all heard the ‘we are Richmond chants,’ so I think we did that.”

“Anything that’s important to our fans and university is very important to me,” Wade said. “I know how much this game means to them, so I wanted our guys to hear it from them.”

The Spider’s dynamic duo of senior guard Shawndre’ Jones and senior forward T.J. Cline did not go down without a fight. Jones led all scorers with 30 points, and Cline posted his usual well-rounded stat line — 15 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds and 2 steals.

After a three-game homestand which featured consecutive wins over conference opponents who held at least a share of first-place at the time (La Salle University, the University of Dayton and UofR), the Rams hit the road all alone atop the Atlantic Ten standings.

“We’re still trying to play with a first place effort,” Alie-Cox said. “Coach Wade preached that all week. We gotta take the show on the road and not compound mistakes.”

“Saturday will be a tough test,” Wade said. “We’ve got some serious work to do on the road here down the stretch. We’ve got five of our last nine on the road so we’ve gotta make some hay there.”

ST. BONAVENTURE The Bonnies of St. Bonaventure University gave the Rams everything they could handle and then some in a climactic Saturday afternoon affair that resulted in — after the dust had settled — an 83-77 overtime win for the Black and Gold.

Alie-Cox and Tillman once again led the way for VCU, with 20 and 18 points, respectively.

Tillman finally got over his double-double hump by posting 12 boards. Alie-Cox shot an incredibly efficient 8 of 11 from the floor.

Senior guard JeQuan Lewis broke out of his own slump to put up 16.

Junior guard Matt Mobley, who was nothing short of sensational, was the silver lining for Bonaventure as he poured in a game-high 34 on 10-19 shooting.

But nothing any player, or coach did, really mattered after this one was all said and done.

All that mattered were the last 3.2 seconds of regulation.

With VCU leading 65-63 and 3.2 seconds remaining in the game, the Bonnies had one last chance on an inbounds play under their own basket.

Everybody in the gym and watching at home knew the ball was going to Mobley.

The star guard and preseason all-A10 selection ran a curl off a screen in the post, creating just enough space for him to catch the ball in the far corner and take a step behind the three-point line before rising up over the outstretched hands of Lewis and VCU junior guard Jonathan Williams.

Mobley hit, and chaos ensued.

Unbeknownst to the St. Bonaventure players or student body, half a second remained on the game clock.

The student section stormed the court and began to celebrate with Mobley and the rest of their players.

According to Wade, a security guard grabbed the ball before a VCU player wrenched it out of his

hands and inbounded. The crowd at mid-court continued to swell.

VCU players and coaches ran to the nearest official asking for an explanation. CBS commentators yelled frantically, “this game is not over!”

The crowd continued to grow.

The officials went to the video monitor as ushers and Bonaventure coaches tried desperately to restore order.

Eventually the students filed back into their seats, but the damage had been done. The crowd had stormed the floor with time on the clock and a live ball in bounds.

St. Bonaventure was assessed an administrative technical foul.

Lewis stepped up and sunk the free throw, sending the game into overtime.

The self-inflicted calamity took all the air out of the Bonaventure players, coaches and fans. VCU dominated the overtime period and came out on top by a final of 83-77.

Men’s Basketball now finds itself at a checkpoint after moving to 18-5 overall and 8-2 in Atlantic 10 play.

The pair of heart-stopping conference victories over top-tier opponents leaves the Rams firmly atop the A10 and climbing NCAA tournament brackets around the country.

Joe Lunardi of ESPN listed VCU as a 9-seed in his latest bracket, released Feb. 2. The Rams also received a handful of AP top-25 votes in the Jan. 30 poll, and are sure to receive more on Feb. 6.

The sky’s the limit for the Black and Gold as they head down the stretch run. Of their eight remaining games, four can significantly boost their resume (Davidson, Rhode Island, Dayton and U of R).

ATLANTIC 10 BASKETBALL

STANDINGS Teams VCU Dayton Richmond Rhode Island St. Bonaveture La Salle George Mason Davidson George Washington Fordham Saint Joseph’s Saint Louis Massachusetts Duquesne

Atlantic 10

Overall

8-2 8-2 8-3 7-3 6-4 6-4 5-5 5-5 4-6 4-6 3-7 3-7 2-8 2-9

18-5 17-5 14-9 15-7 14-8 12-9 15-8 12-9 12-11 10-13 10-12 8-15 12-11 9-15

sports

The Commonwealth Times

THE PRESS BOX

The sports world reacts to U.S. travel ban SOPHIA BELLETTI Sports Editor “Land of the free, home of the brave.”... unless you’re a refugee or a citizen from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen.

President Donald Trump issued an executive order last week that barred Syrian refugees from entering the United States for 120 days and blocked citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, refugees or otherwise, from entering the United States for 90 days.

On Friday Feb. 3, the State Department reversed the visa revocations that allows banned travelers to enter the United States after a federal judge in Washington state temporarily blocked enforce-

ment of the ban.

The de facto “Muslim ban” was issued following a year representing a triumph of visibility for Muslim athletes.

British distance runner Mo Farah, born in Somalia, won two Olympic gold medals in the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics.

Saber fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad is the first Muslim-American woman to wear a hijab while competing for the United States.

Muhammad won bronze as part of the team competition, becoming remarkably the first Muslim-American woman to win a medal at the Olympics.

Twenty-seven-year-old wide receiver Mohamed Sanu of the NFC Champion Atlanta Falcons emerged this season as a critical

target for quarterback Matt Ryan.

Basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabba became a prominent voice for the Democratic party during the election cycle.

Following the enactment, athletes, coaches and CEOs used their unique platform to speak out on the issue, defending the rights of their players, teammates and employees.

Here’s what they had to say:

Regardless of whether or how you worship, where you come from or who you love, everyone’s individual experience is what make us stronger as a whole...this is a policy we don’t support.

Mark Parker Nike CEO

Freedom and liberty packing up their things…

Steve Nash

former NBA point guard

As an American, sorry to everyone affected by the #MuslimBan ... this is foreal gettin out of control #teamACLU Jeremy Lin

Brooklyn Nets point guard

Muslim equals Terror.’ ‘Islam equals Radicalism.’ Those words have become synonymous with one another in this country. That’s what we’ve been fed since 9/11. We have to unlearn some things. And to paint two billion people with the same brush is causing Americans anxiety and an unwarranted headache.

Husain Abdullah

We are extremely disappointed by the ban and feel strongly that it runs counter to the values of inclusiveness that define us as a nation

former NFL safety

Bob Foose

MLS union chief

I appreciate all the fans’ concerns and prayers for Thon (Maker) and today, a Sudanese refugee who fled oppression and is an incredible young man will make his second NBA start. I’m incredibly excited and proud of him. He’s a symbol of what makes America great and all immigrants believe about America. …We must continue to share the stories of incredible immigrants and refugees who make America GREAT Alexander Lasry

ILLUSTRATION BY IAIN DUFFUS

8

Milwaukee Bucks’ senior vicepresident

VCU Baseball builds on a winning culture

OUR WARRIOR Weber signs with Golden State ZACH JOACHIM Sports Editor VCU legend and former point-guard Briante Weber signed a 10-day contract with the Golden State Warriors over the weekend.

The signing was made official and announced by the Warriors Saturday morning. The two-time-defending Western Conference Champions cut 34-year-old journeyman center Anderson Varejao to make room for Weber on the roster.

Weber was named the NBA Development-league player of the month in December and January. During that stretch, Weber averaged staggering numbers for the Sioux Falls Skyforce — 21.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 8.3 assists and 3.6 steals per game while shooting 54 percent from the field and 51 percent from beyond the arc.

Weber’s career has come full circle since he suffered a ghastly knee injury which cost him the lion’s share of his senior season with the Rams as well as a shot at breaking the NCAA all-time steals record.

“Two years ago, this was me.” Weber tweeted last Thursday above a picture of himself in a hospital gown after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus. “I’m back and I’m better. #NewBeginning.”

The 24-year-old Weber is expected to provide backcourt depth for a ‘Dubs squad that has been without the services of guard Shaun Livingston for the past two games due to a back injury.

The Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets reportedly also expressed interest in Weber.

“He’s kind of small, but he gives you something at both ends,” said one unnamed Western Conference scout to CSN Bay Area. “He (Weber) has a very good chance to stick, if not with the Warriors then with somebody else.”

Weber dressed out but did not play for the Warriors in their 109-106 loss Saturday night at the hands of the Sacramento Kings.

“I’ve just been trying to work back,” Weber said to SFGATE after the Warriors’ shootaround Saturday. “I have my foot in the door. Now it’s about me staying and finding a home.”

As the heart and soul of the initial rise of VCU Men’s Basketball to the national stage, Weber is still widely regarded as the face of ‘HAVOC’ due to the tenacious and relentless attitude he continues to exude on the court today.

RamNation will always have a soft spot for our Bri, and seeing him back-up perennial MVP candidate Stephen Curry just two years after blowing out his knee is about as good as it gets.

ADAM CHEEK Contributing Writer The 2017 VCU baseball season begins Feb. 17 in Tallahassee, Florida where the Rams will begin a three-game weekend set against perennial College World Series contenders Florida State University.

Stacked from top to bottom, this year’s edition of Rams baseball features seasoned veterans as well as new faces. With a lineup full of matchup options and versatility to go along with a deep pitching staff, coach Shawn Stiffler is full of confidence as he enters his fifth full season at the helm.

The Rams had a stellar 2016 season, notching a 38-19 record. This marked the third straight season in which the team won 37 games or more. Stiffler exuded excitement in the team’s potential when asked how high the ceiling is for a program that has made immense strides the past few seasons towards establishing a winning culture.

“I felt like we were one of the top 40 teams in the nation,” Stiffler said. “I also felt that we were definitely a regional-caliber team.”

After the program’s first ever trip to Super Regionals in 2015, VCU’s 2016 postseason run fell drastically short of expectations after losing in the semifinals of the A-10 conference tournament.

2017 will be a year of renewal for the Rams. While they lost several key position players to graduation, including outfielders Jimmy Kerrigan and James Bunn as well as starting catcher Walker Haymaker and first baseman Cody Acker, many new faces will fill those gaps and solidify the starting lineup behind a pitching staff which did not graduate a single player.

The Rams’ batting lineup is filled to the brim with talent, and although they lost four everyday starters from last season, an assortment of veteran position players are ready to step in and fill roles.

Senior outfielder Logan Farrar and senior first-baseman Darian Carpenter look to anchor a diverse lineup.

“I love the diversity and matchup variety we have, such as right-handers versus lefthanders,” Stiffler said.

Coach Stiffler also noted the team’s versatility in their approach to scoring runs.

“Our lineup can score runs in multiple ways,” Stiffler said. “Whether it’s by virtue of stealing bases, extra-base hits, bunting, home runs, or traditional hits.”

The lineup is equally versatile in the field.

Second and third base, as well as shortstop, will all be manned by new faces.

“Although we have six guys at new positions who didn’t play defense prior to this season, they have shown the athleticism and versatility that proves they can play multiple positions,” Stiffler said.

The Rams turnover in their lineup is offset by a veteran pitching staff.

“We were fortunate enough to return all of our pitchers from last year,” Stiffler said.

“The entire rotation we have on hand is our biggest strength.”

Led by All-American senior closer Sam Donko, the pitching staff will have to be the Rams calling card in 2017.

Donko, a right-hander, led the nation with 20 saves last season. Donko was named to the NCBWA pre-season first team all-american squad on Feb. 2.

Senior left-hander Matt Jamer was another star on the pitching staff last season, showing off incredible versatility throughout the

season as a starter and reliever. Appearing in 30 games in 2016, Jamer struck out 55 and only walked 19, while racking up six wins and two saves.

Sophomore starting right-hander Michael Dailey was simply sensational as a freshman and will look to once again set himself apart as the Rams ace and Friday-night starter.

Dailey went 6-0 in 14 appearances last season while posting a team-leading 1.57 ERA. His performance was nationally recognized, as Dailey racked up a slew of awards including Atlantic-10 rookie of the year, Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and All-East Region First Team.

Dailey, Donko and Jamer will be the cornerstones of the rotation, which also possesses many young, stellar arms, proving pitching is the least of the team’s worries. Junior righthander Sean Thompson will look to channel his 2015 success on the mound after an injury derailed in 2016 campaign.

Right-hander Luke Crabb posted a 2.59 ERA last season, and returns to the bullpen as a factor in the Rams’ ability to close out games.

Stiffler is in a jubilant mindset for the season only days away. He excitedly discussed how the team has evolved through the years and how the new players and veteran players form to create a melting pot of talent.

“We definitely have high expectations, and I know that from the caliber of this team and our established culture that we’re in position to have a great year,” Stiffler said.

He added that he was incredibly proud of the team for their work ethic, immensely enjoys coaching at VCU, and he is excited to build upon the winning culture that has formed over the past several years at The Diamond on Boulevard.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, February 6, 2017

9

Flyers bring Rams down to earth NICK VERSAW Staff Writer VCU’s season-high four-game win streak came to an end Saturday, as the first-place University of Dayton Flyers knocked off the Rams 68-48 at the Siegel Center on senior day.

Following a 57-55 victory against their archrivals the University of Richmond Tuesday, the Rams were not able to keep hold of momentum against the conference’s premier team.

The Flyers were in full command for much of the afternoon as VCU struggled all game to impose their will on the visitors.

While VCU had 10 players on the score sheet Saturday, not a single Ram was able to break into double digits in scoring, rebounds or assists.

Dayton held an advantage in nearly every major statistical category after holding their hosts to just 26 percent from the field and 16 percent from deep. Redshirtsenior guard GG Goodhope and sophomore guard Katherine Strong led the Rams with nine points each while senior guard Keira Robinson chipped in eight of her own.

From the game’s opening tip, Dayton was in control. The Flyers opened the contest by breaking off a quick 5-0 run in the first 30 seconds of action. In the quarter’s final three minutes, Robinson was able to pull her team back within four of the visitors, but that was the last time the Rams were within five for the rest of the afternoon.

After holding a 17-10 advantage at the conclusion of the first quarter, Dayton continued to pull away. By the end of the half, the visitors were able to extend their lead to double digits and the Flyers never looked back, holding a commanding 31-21 lead heading into the locker room.

During the third period, Dayton put the game away. The visitors started off the quarter by reeling off an impressive 9-0 run against their Black and Gold counterparts. VCU failed to respond by going just 2-14 from the field in the quarter. The Rams never got back within 10.

While they were finally able to find their touch and outscore their opponents in the fourth period for the first time all night, 17-16, the Rams eventually fell by a final score of 68-48. The loss sees VCU drop to 13-11 on the season and

PHOTO BY JULIE TRIPP

DAYTON FLYERS

Senior guard Ashley Pegram started her first game of the season Saturday against Dayton.

6-5 in conference play, remaining in seventh place in the Atlantic 10.

RICHMOND SPIDERS The Rams won their seasonhigh fourth straight game Tuesday night by knocking off inter-city archrival the University of Richmond 57-55, marking VCU’s first season sweep of the Spiders in 18 years.

Although the contest was close in the end, the Rams controlled most of the night by holding the lead for over 31 of the game’s 40 minutes. The Spiders led for less than two-and-a-half.

Graduate transfer guard Mooriah Rowser led the Rams

with 15 points, but it was VCU’s bench providing the difference on the night, outscoring their Spider counterparts 21-4. Senior forward Curteeona Brelove chipped in with 7 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior guard Ashley Pegram and Strong contributed nine and eight points off the bench, respectively.

The Rams took command early Tuesday evening, jumping out to a 6-1 lead to start the contest after Brelove scored the game’s first four points. However, Richmond responded by reeling off a 5-0 run of their own to bring the game level with four minutes left in the first quarter. Seconds later, Strong sank the game’s first three-pointer to put VCU back in front. The Rams ultimately held a 16-11

advantage at the end of the game’s opening period.

Following a Richmond threepointer that pulled the Spiders within two to start the second quarter, Pegram responded with a three of her own, sparking a 5-0 VCU run to give the Rams a commanding 21-14 lead with eight minutes remaining in the first half of action. But, once again, the Spiders responded.

After Richmond guard Janelle Hubbard reeled off five straight points, the senior cut VCU’s lead back to two with less than half the period remaining. The Rams were able to hold the Spiders off enough to hold a 31-27 lead going into halftime.

During the third quarter, a

fourth-straight Rams victory hung in the balance as the two teams traded punches throughout the stanza. The Spiders were able to use another 5-0 run to bring the game level halfway through the period and were within a single point going into the game’s final frame.

Throughout the fourth quarter, the opposing squads once again traded blow after blow. With just over nine minutes remaining, the Rams relinquished the lead for the first time all night as a Jaide Hinds-Clarke layup gave Richmond a 44-43 advantage.

Seconds later, a Pegram jumper kicked off another quick 5-0 VCU run. The Black and Gold held the lead until, with just over a minute-

and-a-half remaining, a Ragan Wiseman three-pointer once again brought the game level at 50 points apiece. But with just 44 seconds left on the clock, Rowser nailed the go-ahead three to put her squad back in front.

Robinson calmly sank four straight free-throws in the game’s closing seconds to secure the Rams their fourth-straight win.

VCU looks to return to their winning ways Wednesday as they head to St. Louis to take on the second-place Billikens at 8 p.m.

Men’s tennis triumphs twice RODNEY ROBINSON Contributing Writer Men’s Tennis moved to 6-1 on the season after winning two of three meets last week.

ELON The Rams remain undefeated at home as they prevailed in a thrilling, close matchup against Elon University on Saturday, Feb. 4 by a final tally of 4-3.

The win improves VCU to 6-0 at home on the season, continuing their early hot streak.

The Rams got off to a slow start, dropping the first two doubles’ matches in the contest. However, veteran play from seniors Daryl Monfils and Marten Jonsson came into action as they were able to edge Elon 7-6. Monfils and Jonsson improved to 3-0 on the season in dual matches.

Freshmen Ignacio Rivero Crespo continues to impress. After an early 2-1 deficit, Crespo brought the score back to even, as he improves to 3-0 in convincing fashion 6-1, 6-1.

The back and forth action continued in the matchup, and everything depended on the last match on court 5. Freshmen play continued to power the Rams as Javier Amantegui managed to get a victory in a 3-set nail biter: 6-7, 7-5, 6-0.

PHOTO BY JULIE TRIPP

WINTHROP

Marten Jonsson and his doubles partner Javier Amantegui won their third doubles set against Duke; it was the Rams’ only win in doubles on the day.

After a tough loss on the road against Duke, VCU bounced back in convincing fashion as the dominated Winthrop at home 7-0 on Feb. 3.

The Rams got off to a fast start against Winthrop Friday in doubles as freshmen Javier Amantegui and sophomore Arvid Noren were victorious in their match, 6-1.

Monfils and Jonsson continued to impress in doubles play on the season. After Winthrop tied the Rams in doubles matches 1-1, the experienced duo

persevered through a tough set and downed Gabriel Dias and Leandros Ppapyiannis of Winthrop to give VCU a lone doubles point. Monfils and Jonsson improved to 2-0 on the early season.

Contributions from freshmen players have been the story in the early season. Amantegui continues his great stretch of play as he notched a team high of 12 overall wins in singles play against Winthrop.

Rivero Crespo continued his hot play as he defeated Dias, making him 2-0 early on in his career.

The Rams continued their home stand in a quick back-to-back against Elon Saturday, February 4th.

DUKE The Rams dropped their first tennis match of the season on the road against the Blue Devils of Duke University January 25.

VCU traveled to Durham, North Carolina to take on a tough opponent. The Blue Devils came into the match ranked 25 in the nation by the ITA. This was a test for the Rams, who came into the meet on a 4 match win streak with hopes of capturing a statement victory early in the season.

The Rams got off to a slow start in doubles, dropping the first two matches of the contest 6-4, then 6-1. But in the 3rd and final doubles match, Jonsson and Amantegui would win a close conclusive set and come out on top, 7-5.

However, after the early doubles wins by the Blue Devils, Duke did not look back as they strung together 5 consecutive singles wins. Rivero Crespo managed to notch the only points for the Rams on the day by winning a tight 3 set match against Robert Levine 7-6(7-1), 5-6, 1-0(10-7).

The Rams look to continue their strong play in the early part of the season as they travel to Penn State University this upcoming Friday, Feb. 10.

spectrum

10 The Commonwealth Times

On this day...

in 1934, Turkey held its first election that allowed women to cast ballots.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Black Lives Matter exhibit unites Richmond artists are lawyers, doctors, businessmen, scientist(s), teachers, architects, musicians, artists, we are more than just sports and criminals.”

Larry Davis, whose art career is based entirely in Richmond, has layers of religious symbolism in his work.

“My art is basically a testimony of how God has been in my life, what he’s meant to me in my life,” Davis said.

Two of his pieces are included in the show, entitled “Dimensions of Royal Beauty” and “Chicago (CHI-RAQ ),” — a tribute to the violence in Chicago.

“The reason why the violence is going on is because someone looks at another person, or in particular a Black person for (the purposes of) this exhibit and doesn’t feel like that other person has a purpose,” Davis said.

Self-taught artist Shantell Lewis created a pair of collages entitled “A Lesson in History.” Each one has a figure dressed in 1800s clothing sitting on either side of a tree while reading a newspaper.

The papers show headlines with information about important figures and events in African American history, which is significant considering most slaves couldn’t read, Lewis said.

“The use of the tree is very important, just in art and history in itself, especially in African American paintings and pictures.

Usually if you see a family and a tree, the tree just means togetherness,” Lewis said, adding that she placed the two collages close to one another for that reason.

Yane, one of the organizers, says the exhibit will be beneficial to the church.

“Look at all the people (the exhibit) is bringing in and all these people didn’t know about their classes and taking the pledge, they didn’t know how much the church supports Black Lives Matter,” Yane said.

GEORGIA GEEN Staff Writer

This image (of Trayvon Martin) to me was just so haunting that I wanted to use it. He was the impetus of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Evaline Jones Artist

Anne Akiko Meyers: World Renowned Violinist Performs at VCU

PHOTOS BY CASEY COLE

The Black Lives Matter-inspired work of 30 Richmond artists will be on display at First Unitarian Universalist Church until March 24. The exhibit opened Feb. 3 and is available to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

“We thought about approaching the Unitarian Church because they have such a strong Black Lives Matter educational program and it was a natural fit,” said Jennifer Yane, one of the event organizers.

Yane, who has been a button-maker since 1984, said she first involved herself in Black Lives Matter when she began making and selling buttons related to the movement. When individuals admire her Black Lives Matter button, “I usually give them a button,” she said.

The exhibit ties in with the church’s own program, Living the Richmond Pledge, which was established to combat racism in the Greater Richmond area, according to church member Evaline Jones. The program offers workshops on recognizing and combatting racism.

Jones helped get the exhibit to the church when approached by two of its organizers, Anne Wrin and Yane, who both included their own work in the exhibit. Jones also has work on display.

Jones said the prompt of “The Power of Three” at an art course inspired her to create small quilts showing the faces of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou and Trayvon Martin.

“This image (of Trayvon Martin) to me was just so haunting that I wanted to use it,” Jones said. “He was the impetus of the Black Lives Matter movement.”

Returning to the Unitarian church, which frequently references Rev. King “from the pulpit,” helped Jones understand and be moved by King’s work, in addition to that of Maya Angelou. Jones said that experience inspired her piece in the Black Lives Matter exhibit.

Yane said initially a call was put out on Facebook to recruit artists for the exhibit, but proved ultimately proved unsuccessful. Instead, she began inviting artists to contribute and put an ad in the Richmond Free Press newspaper. All artists who wished to contribute were included.

Shannon Turner said she saw the Richmond Free Press ad and thought of the artwork of her cousin, who is incarcerated. She displayed his work and represented him at the opening of the exhibit.

“A lot of his things he does, he has to use only the tools available there, ink pens, pencils. They use mustard, ketchup for color, things like that,” Turner said.

The drawing in the exhibit, entitled “Black Lives Matter” was done entirely in ink pen and illustrates Black people in a variety of circumstances and interactions. The text in the work, incorporated into the staircase in the center, reads, “Black lives do matter. We

The work of 30 Richmond artists will be on display at First Unitarian Universalist Church through March 24. The exhibit opened Feb. 3.

SIONA PETEROUS Spectrum Editor Do you believe there is an ideal age for people to get started in music and begin honing their skills as an instrumentalist?

As music is a rich and complex form of communication, much like learning a foreign language, the earlier the better to start learning and studying to continue honing one’s skills like an artisan. My mother played a lot of music for me when she was pregnant with me, continued when I was a baby and finally, I began the violin at the ripe old age of 4. I like to tell students that I am still forever figuring out how to play this beautiful instrument. To be a perpetual student, full of curiosity and wonder is a humbling experience.

What is your daily regimen of practice and do you find it difficult to make an effort for self-care between practice and traveling?

I always try to be as efficient as possible when working. At times, especially with young children and travel, you wish there were more than 24 hours in a day.

You are a world-renowned violinist but I’m curious to know if you’ve ever experience nerves before a concert, or have they gone away over time?

I almost have a heightened sense of anticipation or excitement before a performance. It doesn’t matter if I am playing for my family or thousands of people. Performance is always different from practice. In concerts, a number of things can go wrong that are totally out of your control-this makes you extra-alert, to be able to think and act quickly and always strive to do your best, no matter what the circumstance.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ANNE AKIKO MEYERS

Richmond, Virginia is an area of growing socioeconomic, racial and educational divides but music lessons have been used as a tool to encourage academic involvement and bridge social divides. From the perspective of a professional violinist, what makes the power of music so unique in its ability to gather people and act as a foundation to discussion deeper issues within a community?

Anne Akiko Meyers performed at VCU’s W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 28.

Every time I get on a plane to travel to any city in the world, I usually do not speak the language, read the local paper or can even get myself a cup of coffee. Eight p.m. rolls around, I tuck the violin under my chin and the audience and my voice are sharing a very intense and direct experience together, being transported to another dimension.

This always puts me in complete awe of the power and depth that music has on one’s heart and soul. Memories can be unleashed, emotions expressed. One doesn’t need words to make oneself heard. It is unique, direct and powerful. It is also a time to put prejudices aside and enjoy an experience together making for a very pure sensation. Music has long been important for bring communities together and bridging cultural divides around the world. Early composers like Bach, Handel, Haydn, and Mozart were always composing for important events like weddings, births, funerals, coronations, etc.

During an NPR Interview with Morning Edition you explain that the reason you bought the The Vieuxtemps Guarneri, the oldest violin on Earth, was because of an “instant chemistry” and your belief that a violin carries a soul its own as well as its previous performers.

Have you always felt this deep connection to the violin - or was it an experimental experience before you found your passion and what age did you decide on the violin?

I began playing the violin when I was 4 and played a concerto from memory with the local community orchestra, when I was 7. It was also at this age, that I visited the Hollywood Bowl and heard the Tchaikovsky Concerto and thought, that’s what I want to be. A concert violinist.

I’m interested in your thoughts about whether or not a requirement for international recognition for the arts is dependent on receiving a high level educational training experience like the one you received at the famed Juilliard School in New York.

I think students should focus on developing as a musician and not on career development. I was very fortunate to study with amazing teachers throughout my life. I studied with Shirley Helmick in the middle of the Mojave Desert, Alice and Eleonore Schoenfeld at the Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, California, Josef Gingold in Bloomington, Indiana and after sending a cassette to legendary teacher, Dorothy DeLay at the Juilliard School, she invited me to play for her at the Aspen Music Festival. At that time, I was 14 years old and she offered me a full scholarship to study at the Juilliard School in New York City. It was there that I studied with Masao Kawasaki, Felix Galimir and Ms.DeLay. The teachers brought me to the schools and things took off from there.

How would you define and describe your musical style? Do you believe it falls in the range of classical - or is it something a blend across various genres and influence?

As I love to explore many different genres of music (electronics, blues, jazz, rock, pop, classical), it forces me to think outside the normal conventional aspects of classical. Working with living composers makes one also so deeply appreciate the rich history of composers before our current time. Each genre is borne from the other. It all becomes a collective experience to appreciate the different aspects of musical genres as you start to see that every genre influences another.

VCU has a well-developed music and arts program and on Saturday Jan. 28 you performed at the W.E Singleton Center for the Performing Arts.

Does the experience of performing on University campuses ever feel like a chance to influence a younger generation?

I had a wonderful experience bringing lots of new music to the Richmond audiences. Pieces with video installation, electronics, choral music arranged for violin/piano, and composers from our time were brought to Richmond. I also got to spend some more intimate time with the students at VCU via the masterclass. This was a wonderful opportunity to work with students and hopefully answer their many questions.

Last time I performed local Richmond composer, Mason Bates’s violin concerto with the Richmond Symphony and it makes one realize that all music was new at one time!

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, February 6, 2017 11

Sam’s Take:

Rider Boots: a family business revamping RVA’s shoe scene A small, charming kitchen, a home office creates a feeling of welcoming comfort. But beyond the aesthetics, what stands out about the shop is the feeling of home, and Lisa enthusiastically welcomes people into the store.

“I don’t like going to a boutique shop and feeling judged with an attitude — we don’t do that here,” Lisa said, “I tell people who come in what we’re about and if they like it they want to know more and if not, it’s ok.”

Before the couple started Rider Boots, Lisa worked various jobs that allowed her to “put the kids on the bus and then be back when they got off.” Her experience working in different job sectors also provided her with the ability to utilize multiple skillsets in the couple’s new business venture.

“We wanted to wait until the youngest of our kids had graduated high school — you still need stability and income and all that,” Lisa said.

She said above all else, though, her experience raising three children makes her the ultimate multitasker.

The Riders three sons also play an important role in the store, particularly their eldest son, Jeff.

“I have always had a close relationship with my parents so it makes it easier to go to work each day knowing that we are all on the same page and have a common interest to keep improving to get to where we want to be,” Jeff said.

While he didn’t initially see himself going into the industry as his father and grandfather had, he explained that as the business grew, “I was needed more and more so by the time they needed someone full-time it made my decision an easy one.”

Rider Boot website was tailored towards men and they are now developing their women’s stylee, but Lisa said she has no doubt that as they establish themselves more into the community and expand their customer base they will grow stronger in the women’s market.

The much-hyped “Rings” falls short SAMUEL GOODRICH Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY ALI JONES

—continued from page 1 Lisa said she thinks the location of the store is ideal for a number of reasons, but a huge factor has been the welcoming nature of the local business.

“The restaurants, the (Quirk) hotel, the shops — they’ve all come over and greeted themselves,” she said. “They’ve sent customers, they visit. It’s a great location and neighborhood.”

Lisa donned a pair of shoes from their 2016 Fall Collection: a dark brown, wing-style oxford, but with a thicker sole than the traditional shoe.

“This, to me, is an everyday, all-year look,” she said. “I can wear it with a summer dress or jeans. Our style tends to go with denim wear.”

Lisa’s description speaks to the core mission of Rider Boot Shop — to provide everyday people with high quality shoes that accomodate various seasons and last for years.

“We source from seven or eight factories,” Lisa said. “Some of the shoes we order directly because we really like the style.

But generally tend to design and curate the shoes. Change the sole, the color, the lace — we make it (our) own.”

Lisa explained that Ron traveled extensively as part of his job buying shoes for Franco’s. His experience allowed the couple to expertly choose Milan as the production base for their company.

“American fashion is very trend-based, it’s disposable fashion,” Lisa said. “The timeline (to order from Milan) is a lot longer, and if it’s made to order there is a slight upcharge (...) but it is the best product.”

The Riders wanted the shoes to be the center of attention of their shop and showcase the artistry of the shoes themselves.

With bare walls, light brown counters, plant accents, antique light fixtures from a 1940’s school house and anextravagant gold framed mirror — Rider Boot Shop has an authentic, woodsy, minimalist ambiance.

Bottom: Lisa Rider and son, Jeff. Lisa and her husband, Ron, launched Rider Boot Co. online in 2011. The family’s first brickand-mortar store opened on at 18 W Broad St. in November.

SIONA PETEROUS Spectrum Editor

“I don’t know how anyone, black or white in America, can stand up in front of an audience with a microphone and never mention it? It’s as if there’s an elephant in the room and it’s spraying out elephant diarrhea all over everyone and no one is mentioning it. It’s surreal.” -Paul Mooney On Wednesday Feb. 3, VCU’s Humanities Research Center hosted an event, “Is Shakespeare Beyond Race?” featuring author and professor, Ayanna Thompson.

Thompson teaches English at George Washington University and is well known for her critical analysis of the perception of race in the performance arts, especially surrounding the works of Shakespeare. She has written several books on the topic, most recently releasing, Teaching Shakespeare with Purpose: A Student Centered Approach in 2016.

“Like the Black American comedian, Paul Mooney, I find it impossible to ignore the shitting elephant in the room.” Thompson opens her lecture to a chuckling crowd.

“Notions, constructions and performances of race continue to define...our conceptions, performances and employments of Shakespeare. When I teach Shakespeare in my university classes, when I see a contemporary Shakespeare production on film, stage or the internet, when I hear or see allusions to Shakespeare in commercials, television shows and popular media - I see race. Whiteness, Blackness, Hispanicness, Asianess, the normatively raced, the deviantley raced.”

Thompson divided her lecture into two sections. Beginning with the history of Black Americans in Shakespeare and then transitioning into the role of race in the perception of the performing arts by guiding the audience

through a “methodological discussion about how we should be asking questions about what audiences see.”

The role of Black Americans in Shakespeare is, according to Thompson, well documented but often ignored.

She begins by exploring the the history of The African Grove Theater Company. Created by a free Black New York citizen, William Alexander Brown, the Company served as a space for Blacks artists to perform their craft and for other Blacks to appreciate the art. It was here that actors like James Hewlett and Ira Aldridge first got their exposure to the idea of Black bodies being part of the theater.

In the 20th century, Orson Welles directed the still critically acclaimed film version of Macbeth (1936). Set in the 19th century Caribbean, Welles was, according to Thompson, “directly invoking resonance between Macbeth and Haitian Emperor, Henri Christophe.”

Welles film was so popular it sold out every night in every theater across New York City for over five weeks and was especially popular in the city of Harlem.

Fast forward to 81 years after the release of Macbeth what is the role of minorities at large in the Shakespearean performances?

“The assumption in both the U.S. and the U.K is that things have gotten better for actors of color in classical performance - and yet, the data doesn’t bear it out.” Thompson said. “We top off in both [countries] for professional productions of Shakespeare at 10 percent actors of color and it’s held steady for 40 years.”

Thompson believes that the next stage in understanding the relationship of minorities in Shakespeare is in the study of semiotics of race in performances: “The next wave of research will explore if and how an actor’s race is endowed with any meaning in a performance.”

Essentially there are mainly used types of casting. Blind casting assumes that audiences don’t see race, in conscious casting there is a decision made to try and create larger

PHOTO BY ALI JONES

Ayanna Thompson challenges race in Shakespearean performances

Ayanna Thompson spoke at the Cabell Lecture Hall on Feb. 3.

racial representation and in cross cultural casting directors apply a different historical timeline to a play.

According to Thompson the people in charge of reception studies avoid questions about race in theater and assume that audiences follow the Blind casting model. In reality, there is little reason to believe that racial assumption don’t impact the perception of the audience.

She closed her lecture by saying that she is advocating for a large comparative analyses of audience surveys.

“This data in aggregate may help to move us past the anecdote of one person statement to more subtle claims about rhetorical patterns regarding race’s impact on reception.”

In the 13 years since “The Ring” was released, horror movies have changed dramatically. Instead of relying on high studio budgets and recognizable franchise names, horror films rely on cheap budgets and terrifying concepts. If “Rings” is evident of anything, it’s that Hollywood hasn’t caught up. The third film in the series, released after years of development hell, is a mess of cliches and wasted potential.

The plot of “Rings” is difficult to describe, but to summarize it’s basically a bunch of stolen nonsense. The film starts as an interesting take on the Ring concept, following a couple who are roped into an experiment to understand how the tape works. Yet, 20 minutes in it becomes a retread of the first film’s investigation plotline with a dash of last year’s “Don’t Breath” to add some spice to the third act.

While the experiment angle is an interesting concept, it’s ultimately dropped, just like many other plotlines within the film. This is reflective of the quality of writing, which is bland at best and laughable at worst. To add insult to injury, the actors are stiff and lifeless, making the dialogue all the more unbearable.

The film also lacks decent scares; instead of creating a sense of unnerving dread, the filmmakers opt for cheap, ineffective jump scares.

The camerawork is also uninspired, feeling like a straight-to-dvd production, destroying any tension or horror the film could have had.

The worst part about “Rings” is how uneventful it is, the film never aspires to be anything noteworthy. Nothing is ever done well, yet it’s never terrible enough to be entertaining, it simply meanders in mediocrity for an hour and a half.

This is truly a shame since there is potential to revamp the Ring concept for the modern day. While the film lightly touches on this, it instead decides to retread ideas not only from the Ring franchise, but also from recent horror films.

Instead of taking any risks, “Rings” is a forgettable experience that is a waste of anyone’s time. Never good enough to be interesting, and never bad enough to be entertaining, it’s a movie I’m not sure I’ll remember by the end of the week.

Rating: Avoid like the Ring tape itself, just don’t try to spread it to stay alive.

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New film depicts Maggie L. Walker’s local, national impact GEORGIA GEEN Staff Writer The Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site screened its short film, “Carry On: The Life and Legacy of Maggie Lena Walker” at the Grace Street Theater on the evening of Jan. 30.

“Carry On” shows Walker’s significance as an early figure in the Civil Rights Movement both nationally and in Richmond where she lived, Superintendent of the Maggie L. Walker Historic Site, David Ruth said.

“The film is really designed to bring the relevancy of what Maggie Walker dealt with into the lives of people today,” Ruth said.

Early phases of the film’s production began in 2014 after it was realized that an older version had factual inaccuracies and “fell short,” Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site Curator and film creator Ethan Bullard said.

Bullard said he feels Walker’s early tactics of boycotting and using the press provided a foundation for the Civil Rights Movement later in the 20th century, decades after Walker’s death in 1934.

“She did all of that in a time where there wasn’t the kind of support that there ended up being during the Civil Rights Movement and that’s a tough role to take,” Bullard said. “She’s bridging that gap after Reconstruction and laying the groundwork for what we think of as the modern Civil Rights Movement.”

Walker’s legacy was shown

towards the end of “Carry On” with images of recent marches and activists. One image related to the Black Lives Matter movement which was present in an earlier version of the film was removed. However, Bullard says, a different Black Lives Matter protest image remained, but the group’s name was not visible.

“To some people, (Black Lives Matter) is polarizing, they don’t understand and associate it with violence for some reason, even though it’s perpetrated by violence,” Bullard said. Bullard declined to comment on the decision-making process that led to the image’s removal.

Bullard described the production of “Carry On” as occurring in “fits and starts,” partially due to technical issues.

“I felt like it really came together in 2016, which is also the park service’s centennial year,” Bullard said. The extra attention around the National Park Service that year helped in the obtaining of a grant from Eastern National, a nonprofit that runs bookstores in national parks, Bullard says.

Many of the images for the film were sourced from the National Archives, The Valentine museum and Virginia Union University’s private collection, Bullard said.

The audio was recorded at In Your Ear Studio, Bullard said.

Voice actors included employees of the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site, such as Supervisory Park Ranger Ajena

Rogers. Rogers voiced the role of S. J. C. Ralph of The Baltimore Afro-American, a black-owned newspaper.

“I was visualizing what it would be like for her (Ralph) to walk in and see all these women working in jobs that normally, they wouldn’t have gotten the opportunity to work in,” Rogers said.

Within her business ventures, like The St. Luke Herald newspaper and St. Luke Penny Savings Bank, Walker prioritized hiring black women.

Some educators have reached out to the Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site to supplement school curriculum since the knowledge of Walker and other black Civil Rights leaders is now tested at the first-grade level on Virginia’s Standards of Learning tests.

Bullard said the film will soon be available digitally and on DVD so that the needed material is more accessible to teachers. Currently, most visitors to the historic site, located at 600 N. 2nd St., view the film before guided tours of the site A Spanish translation was completed by VCU student Merin Duke which will be incorporated in the form of subtitles and available upon request to visitors.

Bullard says the subtitles will also be included on the digital and DVD. There are also plans to translate the film into Mandarin.

He’s not the only superhero out after dark.

VCU Career Services, now open every Tuesday until 7 pm.

University Student Commons, across from Chick-fil-A. careers.vcu.edu

opinion

12 The Commonwealth Times

Quote of the week

“Ignoring our country’s issues and painting those who are hungry for change as ‘unpatriotic’ is suppression camouflaged as American pride.” —Eleanor Fialk

ILLUSTRATION BY IAIN DUFFUS

Putting Trump’s executive order in perspective

AARON TABB Contributing Writer In light of recent political events and VCU’s diverse student body, my attention has been largely focused on the Trump administration’s executive order banning refugees and immigrants from various Middle Eastern and North African countries. Most of the reactions in my insular social bubble have been that of stark consternation and anger — and understandably so. Even still, there is a certain context to what is happening that tends to go neglected or obscured by people I typically consider close to my liberal persuasions.

President Trump’s executive action generalizes against entire national populations, which makes it unjustly prejudiced and ineffective, but it is equally important to keep in mind the legitimate security concerns about terrorist organizations exploiting refugee crises and smuggling violent jihadists into welcoming countries. These threats do exist and the failure to rectify this threat only empowers fascists.

Furthermore, sleeper cells are real and ISIS is using the refugee crisis to gain access to countries that they wouldn’t have access to otherwise.

Why is there such varying magnitude of selective outrage over the actions of the Trump administration?

In December 2015, President Obama signed the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act as part of an omnibus spending bill.

The legislation prevented citizens from 38 countries from accessing the Visa Waiver Program, which allows travelers entrance into the US for up to 90 days without a visa. This initiative, while similar in its intended effect, paved the way for Trump to enact his executive order.

The action signed by President Trump this past Saturday bans refugee arrivals into the U.S. for 120 days, while citizens from Iraq, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen will be banned for 90 days and Syria indefinitely. The countries included in Trump’s proposition were derived from Obama’s visa legislation, and the restricted additions of Libya, Somalia, and

Yemen were added by the Obama Administration in February 2016. In essence, President Trump’s executive action is a continuation of President Obama’s policy.

Other western states have taken a different route and demonstrated a more open ambition to embrace incoming refugees. European countries such as Germany, the UK, France, and the Netherlands provide similar, but not identical, examples of western nations partaking in rapid migration to address the stringent refugee crises in Muslim-majority countries.

Through careful inspection we can learn from these trials to craft our own approach that is both humane to refugees and socially responsible to the inhabiting domestic population.

There are two significant questions that come to mind pertaining to the current state of immigration to affluent western civilizations: How have the social interactions between incoming refugees and domestic populations fared so far and are terrorist organizations actually using refugee crises as a mechanism to spread violent jihad? Most refugees aren’t terrorists and never will be. They are people with ordinary interests seeking asylum. As Bill Frelick, Director of the Refugee Rights Program for Human Rights Watch puts it, “We are talking about needles in haystacks.” The caveat is that each one of these needles is extremely dangerous with the potential to cause destruction on a grand scale.

In Paris for instance, two of the suicide bombers were able to gain entrance into Europe with fake passports. ISIS ultimately claimed responsibility for the attacks which killed 130 people and injured hundreds. Regarding the incident, and concerns about ISIS advancements in Syria, French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve told reporters that, “An industry of fake passports has been established by the Islamic State terror group and must be investigated by international authorities.”

“The problem is not national but European and global,” Cazeneuve added. To make matters worse, U.S. intelligence agencies believe that after taking over the city of Deir ez-Zor, ISIS seized control of a passport office — a prospect that could seriously

complicate the vetting process.

In Cologne, Germany over a span of three weeks, 838 people filed criminal complaints, including 497 women alleging sexual assault, according to The Guardian. Police reports describe the perpetrators as being part of a large crowd of drunken men of “Arab or North African” origin. Germany is home to Europe’s largest economy and in 2015 alone it embarked on the heroic task of accepting more than 1 million refugees; the most of any European country.

Moreover, as part of a remarkably disturbing story that I still have difficulty coming to terms with, more than 1,400 children were sexually abused in the British town of Rotherham by immigrants and the crimes were repressed in an institutional manner, according to a 2014 article by Forbes. Scores of children were failed by public representatives obsessed with left wing ideology. The social workers told the kids there was nothing they could do, lest they become branded islamophobes; the police were perturbed by potential accusations of institutionalized racism and society swept the activity under the rug for fear of finding a causal connection between immigration and crime.

I’ve included these examples not to induce a sense of xenophobia, but rather to assist in the effort of overcoming these challenges. Our western allies are the closest cultural counterparts that the world has to offer. The immigration trials in European countries aren’t failures but they also aren’t without fault. It is possible that the cultural tensions between secular liberal societies and religious theocracies take time to reconcile.

There are some things that are beyond our power.

Outside of our leisurely western society lies a world of perpetual violence, famine, and other conditions leading to the need for mass migration. With the knowledge of such an abject reality it is only natural to want to help as many as possible, but can we adequately help others without first fixing our own problems?

As inhabitants of the U.S. we are responsible for the actions of our government. Countries such as Syria and Yemen are in a chaotic state with weak, failing governments. The most lasting improvements to these

societies will likely only endure by improving their political conditions to enable a sense of civic stability rooted in the foundation of a reciprocal social contract.

Nonetheless, this is a task that is virtually impossible when the U.S. arms jihadist factions and bombs innocent civilians within these societies.

A proper policy addressing the challenges within our social landscape requires a sufficient resettlement program and a sensitive understanding of multiculturalism coupled with a reliable and humane security apparatus. This demonstrates a level of nuance that I don’t think the Trump administration is willing to entertain. We already have the world’s most comprehensive vetting process so it is important not to start catastrophizing or allowing our sympathy to lead us towards political initiatives that pose additional security concerns.

In the words of George W. Bush’s speechwriter, David Frum: “When liberals insist that only fascists will defend borders, then voters will hire fascists to do the job liberals won’t do.” We certainly don’t want that.

Changes to these societies will likely only endure by improving their political conditions to enable a sense of civic stability rooted in the foundation of a reciprocal social contract.

www.commonwealthtimes.org

Monday, February 6, 2017 13

Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I was particularly taken aback when I read the article titled, “Coach K gets tripped up by star guard.” I am usually very impressed with what comes out of the sports section, which is why I found this article surprisingly shallow and petty.

Right off the bat, the author paints a picture of Grayson Allen, the 21-year-old shooting guard, as “barbaric,” and a “serial tripper” who “clearly has a problem.”

The author goes on to make the argument that while it was right of Coach Krzyzewski to suspend Grayson Allen for his on-court antics, lifting the suspension after only one game leaves the winningest division 1 basketball coach of all time, looking weak.

It is articles like this that leave me disgusted with opinionated sports media. Rather than examining the issue on a humanistic level, it simply turns Grayson Allen into an antagonistic caricature and turns a very complex decision between coach and player, mentor and mentee, into a simple matter of discipline, or as the author alludes to, a timeout.

What else would Grayson Allen be taught by sitting out more games, letting the biased sports media continue to speculate and condemn? Getting back on the court is exactly where the young star needs to be.

He needs to learn to control his emotions and feeling those emotions on the court, is the only way he can change his reactions to them. By portraying the decision by the esteemed coach as weak, only shows the lack of thought that was put into the article.

Coach K said in an interview regarding the suspension, “there are things that you all don’t see and shouldn’t see or shouldn’t be talked about, and they’re called teachings. You don’t need to teach out in the public all the time.”

Clearly this is a personal issue that the coach has gone to great measures to help his young player with, outside of the public eye.

It is so easy to watch a couple YouTube clips, read a couple of headlines, and right an article explaining how a major decision was weak, however, like most things in life, this is a complex issue that can really only be handled by the people closest to the problem.

And to refer to the hall of fame coach as “spineless” as he sits in a hospital bed recovering from back surgery, talk about a low blow.

Sincerely, Teddy Leinbach Four things to help you be an informed advocate

ILLUSTRATION BY JIAQI ZHOU

Know your legislator:

I now pronounce you, Church and State For a “first world” country allegedly far more socially, politically and economically advanced than Peru, the U.S. government’s blatant inability to act in a secular manner toward the issue of abortion is rather pathetic.

We’ve sat back and allowed ourselves to drink the American kool aid As I watched 11-year-old Florecita attempt to adhere a diaper to her that is “separation of church and state;” Barely flinching as our president screaming, flailing 2-year-old daughter on the dirt-laden floor of a Peruvian prioritizes Christian immigrants over Muslim refugees; Staring blankly as a shelter, a faint chorus of guilt-ridden apologies rang in my ears like church bells. room full of white men work to sign away women’s rights to their own bodies.

I could almost hear the redundant chants of those blinded by pseudoPresident Trump’s recent nomination of notoriously-conservative and nationalism, preaching to me from their supposed moral high ground: highly-religious Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court inches the GOP closer “You’re lucky to be an American. You could’ve been born in a ‘third world’ to potentially overturning Roe v. Wade. If successful, the jurisdiction to country but by luck or by fate you were born here. Stop complaining.” determine the legality of abortion would no longer belong to the federal And in this moment, I’m swallowed by a nearly indistinguishable government. Therefore, state legislators would possess the power to entirely combination of gratitude and shame — the American experience. ban abortion within their state.

Two years prior, Florecita moved in with her stepfamily following the With the demise of Christianity’s placemat at the table of American cancer-related deaths of her biological parents. It was at her new residence policymaking seemingly out of question, I urge you, whether religious or where she was impregnated by her stepfather at the age of 9 and kicked out not, to honestly and critically examine our country’s lack of secular decisionof the house to fend for herself and her child. making. For a nation that prides itself on religious freedom, the looming Now living at a shelter for young female rape victims, Florecita is surrounded influence of Christianity on American policymaking is undeniable. by other girls who share a similar fate — to raise the children of their rapists.

Yes, by luck or by fate I was born in America. And although eternally Despite Peru’s ongoing battle with sexual assault, specifically of minors, grateful, I am critical. I am cynical. I am skeptical. the country’s predominantly Roman Catholic population’s powerful Because this is not who we are. influence on policymaking allows for abortion to remain a criminal offense.

We mustn’t succumb to a form of nationalism that is not conducive to Peruvian women who do not wish to be pregnant are faced with only progress, but prohibits it. True patriotism is found in the recognition of two options: seek an illegal and potentially hazardous abortion with the our country’s faults and in the activism to overcome said faults. Ignoring risk of imprisonment, or follow through with the unwanted pregnancy. our country’s issues and painting those who are hungry for change as I fear women in the United States may soon be forced to make a “unpatriotic” is suppression camouflaged as American pride. comparable decision if our politicians’ incapability to separate their At the end of the day, we all share the common desire to foster the best religious views from their legislation continues. possible version of the United States. To do so, it is imperative we swallow So often we as Americans scoff at the countries we deem inferior, using our pride and bring our faults to light, including our intolerable lack of terms such as “second world” and “third world” as derogatories. We look at separation between church and state. our smartphones, and our big, shiny cities with pristinely paved highways and I am proud to be an American because I am given the choice to be proud. Let us pretend like we too aren’t struggling with the most basic of human rights issues. not squander what distinguishes our country from the rest — freedom of choice.

ELEANOR FIALK Opinion Editor

Those who have higher positions or who sit on committees that get the first vote on a bill is appealing but misleading.

Your legislators are elected to represent YOU. Others are elected to represent different parts of the state, and your opinion is not going to influence their vote.

If you don’t know your legislator you can use www.whois.virginia.gov to find your state and federal legislators.

Find bills:

For more high profile bills, legislative aides will know bills by their nicknames (aka “the bathroom bill” from this session), but generally when you’re calling or emailing your legislator, you should know the bill numbers you’re interested in. Most news articles don’t include bill numbers, so you may have to find them for yourself. These are available on LIS, and you can look them up by patron, bill number, or committee assignment. You can also search for bills using Richmond Sunlight, where you can search for bills on different topics.

Track bills:

Once you’ve found a bill, the next step is to track its progress through the General Assembly. Virginia’s House of Delegates tracks all bills online through Legislative Information Systems (lis.virginia.gov). The site can be confusing at first, but it’s worth the time and energy to learn how if you want to influence legislation effectively.

Each bill page contains a summary of the bill and a history of the bill. The history will tell you which subcommittee and committee will be reading the bill next.

The website also lists members on each committee. If your legislator is on the committee, congratulations! Call them up and tell them your thoughts. If not, you will have to continue tracking the bill until it reaches the house floor, where your legislator will get the chance to vote for or against it.

Contact your legislator:

As wonderful as letter writing campaigns are, contacting your legislator via email or phone is a faster, easier, and more reliable method. Letters take time to mail, and it’s possible that the bill you’re supporting or opposing will pass or fail before your letter can make it to the General Assembly.

Katie Sallee

comics

14 The Commonwealth Times

Dave’s Grill by Laura Bryant

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