BEST SMALL, NON-DAILY —2017 Virginia Press Association The independent press of Virginia Commonwealth University
SPORTS Volleyball: 13 straight • 4
OPINIONS Ode to Self Care • 9
SPECTRUM Zine fest • 8
PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON
NEWS Student protests • 2
October 2, 2017 • Vol. 59, No. 6
VCU hit-and-run victim speaks out ering from serious injuries after she was hit by a, either red or orange, 2017 Ford Explorer while crossing the intersection of West Grace and North Belvedere Streets. The SUV didn’t stop after hitting the student and headed north, stopping at a red light a block from the impact at West Broad and North Belvidere Streets. Police tracked the
SOPHIA BELLETTI Executive Editor VCU Police Chief John Venuti announced a $5,000 monetary award Thursday for anyone with information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the hit-and-run involving a VCU student on Sept. 3. The 21-year-old junior is recov-
car across Leigh Street and believe it got onto I-95, but the exact path was unclear. The junior, who identifies as Lynn, hopes by telling the story of her accident the driver, or someone with information, will come forward. “I don’t hate them, I’m not angry at them,” Lynn said. “I just want them to know what effect they had,
their actions had, that night. I do want to see justice for what happened and I do really hope they decide to make the right choice and come forward.” Venuti says he believes there was more than one person in the vehicle. “There is no question whoever was in that vehicle knew they struck a human being,” Venuti said.
Lynn is now confined to a wheelchair for several more weeks while her pelvis, which was broken in four places and realigned by several metal rods that were inserted surgically, begins to heal. She said she hopes to be walking by next semester and was very lucky to not sustain head injuries. The incident occurred around
The empty stomach in our pockets
Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival celebrates 25 years PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON
story on page 9
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DACA Renewal Clinics in Richmond EMMA GAUTHIER Contributing Writer Following the Trump Administration’s announcement to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, Political Latinxs United for Movement and Action in Society at VCU (PLUMAS)
teamed up with other Richmond organizations to hold DACA renewal clinics. The Legal Aid Justice Center and the Richmond Immigrant Legal Resource Coalition helped PLUMAS at VCU organize three clinics throughout the month of September — the most recent held
at the University of Richmond on Sept. 30. The clinic offered free DACA renewal applications to any recipient whose status expires before March 5, 2018. DACA holders are able to apply for renewal until Oct. 5. —continued on page 3
Field hockey: six-game streak snapped DANIEL PURYEAR Contributing Writer
PHOTO BY MICHEL MAULDING
story on page 5
10:24 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 3. Lynn crossed the sidewalk at North Belvidere Street. She was a few steps ahead of her boyfriend who watched helplessly as the SUV struck Lynn from behind. Police said the vehicle had a green light, but failed to yield right-of-way, as Lynn also had a walk signal. — continued on page 2
Field hockey (8-3) hosted the Saint Joseph’s University Hawks (9-2, 3-0 A-10) on Friday, Sept. 29 and the Appalachian State University Mountaineers (3-7) on Sunday, Oct. 1.
SIONA PETEROUS Spectrum Editor This past weekend one of the world’s oldest tattoo conventions, Richmond Tattoo & Arts Festival, celebrated it 25th anniversary. The festival featured more than 150 national tattoo artists, who are also internationally known, including celebrity artists from “Ink Master,” “Ink Master Angels” and VH1’s “Black Ink Crew.” There was also a vast number of entertainment options including tattoo competitions like Best Color Tattoo, Worst Tattoo and the Kids’ Tattoo competitions. For the second year in a row, the festival was run by Jesse Smith, owner of Loose Screw Tattoo in Richmond and Kenny Brown, co-owner of Jack Brown’s Tattoo Revival in Fredericksburg. Brown and Smith didn’t know each other before they started to organize the 2016 festival, however, the previous organizers figured they would work well together. Both men have extensive experience in the industry with Brown tattooing for 25 years and Smith tattooing for 20 years, respectively. “The people who ran the convention before knew both of us and thought we’d make a good team,” Smith said. “They said ‘OK you guys are the team, go!’ and we had to figure everything out.” Smith said the duo balances each other — Brown helps Smith him from “running” into the more progressive new forms of tattooing and Smith encourages Brown from staying rooted in tradition. This balance between the contemporary and the historical falls in line with the aesthetic chosen by the co-creators. — continued on page 8