BEST SMALL, NON-DAILY —2017 Virginia Press Association The independent press of Virginia Commonwealth University
October 23, 2017 • Vol. 59, No. 9
NEWS Sam Kwarteng • 3
SPORTS Sanders signs • 6
SPECTRUM The Depot Market • 8
OPINIONS Walter Williams • 11
SPECTRUM Islam Awareness Week • 8
PHOTO BY ERIN EDGERTON
NEWS Student protests • 3
SPORTS Field hockey • 6
Obama makes a play for Virginian candidates HIBA AHMAD News Editor In his return to the political arena, former President Barack Obama highlighted the importance of voting for the entire Democratic ticket in this year’s gubernatorial election, at the Richmond Convention Center Oct. 19. “You’ve got really good candidates. You’ve got people who will
make you proud. You’ve got people in this race for the right reasons,” Obama said. “At a time when so many of us can be so cynical about government and public service to have somebody step up who you can trust and who just want to do right by the people of Virginia — that is worth something.” Obama hit the campaign trail to urge Virginians to vote for Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam, who is running as
the democratic candidate for governor of Virginia. The national focus on Virginia’s gubernatorial race comes as a result of Virginia’s position to set the tone for the 2018 midterm election. There, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives will be up for reelection along with over 30 seats in the Senate. Democrats are hoping key states like Virginia and New Jersey will
help swing the political pendulum back in the favor of their party since Republicans currently have a majority in Congress and the White House. Obama isn’t the only high profile politician who has openly endorsed Northam for governor. Former Vice President Joe Biden also campaigned for Northam in northern Virginia earlier this month. Northam had 5.8 percent lead
average of all polls on his opponent Ed Gillespie, the former Republican National Committee chair and Republican candidate in the race, according to Real Clear Politics. According to the Northam for Governor campaign, more than 6,000 people turned out for the rally — more than 15,000 people previously registered online. Attorney General Mark Herring, who is seeking re-election, and Jus-
tin Fairfax, who is running for lieutenant governor. Current Virginia Governor, Terry McAuliffe, and Richmond mayor, Levar Stoney, also took the stage to encourage votes to “keep Virginia blue.” Many speakers were quick to criticize Gillespie for his attack ads against Northam and his support from President Donald Trump. —continued on pg. 3
Volleyball maintains nation’s longest streak RODNEY ROBINSON Contributing Writer
PHOTO BY ELIZABETH HUMPHREYS
Volleyball (23-2) extended their winstreak to 20 games and remained perfect in A-10 play over the weekend with straight-sets victories over the University of Rhode island and Fordham College. The Rams continue to boast the longest active win streak in the country.
Rhode Island
Volleyball has not lost a match since falling to Notre Dame 1-3 on Sept. 1. The Rams have won 20 consecutive sets.
VCU cruised against Rhode Island in a straight-sets victory on Sunday. The Rams’ stout defense returned against conference foe
Rhode Island, holding them to a .080 hitting percentage. The Black and Gold forced Rhode Island into 21 errors, while only committing 14 themselves. VCU was tested in the second set, but they were able to hold off Rhode Island to narrowly win the set 25-23. VCU had a hitting percentage of .268. Senior outside hitter Alica Kandler led the way with nine kills on the day and a service ace. Sophomore opposite hitter Gina Tizzulo added eight kills, while junior middle blocker Tori Baldwin and junior opposite hitter Julia Adler recorded six kills while hitting better than .500. —continued on pg. 5