Volume LXXI, Number 46
Men’s Health On Pages 22-24 HDR Architects & Engineers Gives Back . . 5 Nuclear Weapons Talk at PU’s Robertson Hall . . . 8 John Reed Covers the 1917 Russian Revolution . . . . . . . 13 Westminster Choir Invites Audience to “Listen” . . 17 Princeton Women’s Soccer Tops Monmouth in NCAA Opener . . . . . . 27 PHS Boys’ Soccer Wins Central Jersey Group 4 Sectional Title . . . . . . 32
Michelle Obama Photographer Amanda Lucidon at Princeton Library . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
www.towntopics.com
University, Locals Take Action on DACA As Legislators Clash
In the wake of President Donald Trump’s get-tough-on-immigration campaign and many months of harsh rhetoric from the White House, the federal government announced on September 5 that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program would end in six months. Trump’s decision turned the problem over to Congress to determine the fate of hundreds of thousands of young people (known as DREAMers) who have received work permits or deportation relief since the program began five years ago. Pushing for the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act bill without any funding for a border wall, increased enforcement, or immigrant detention centers, Democratic leaders said in September that they had a deal with the White House that included permanent protections for DREAMers and a pathway to citizenship. Now both Democrats and Republicans in Congress are calling for a bill to resolve their differences. Whether Congress and the White House take action before a December 8 spending bill deadline, before the end of the year, or even before the March 5 date when DACA protections will expire remains to be seen. In the meanwhile, however, Princeton locals, University officials, and others have not been standing idly by. Continued on Page 9
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Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Multifaith Gathering Urges Coming Together About 400 gathered at the Princeton University Chapel for a Multifaith Service for Peace on Sunday, followed by an afternoon conference at Nassau Presbyterian Church, where participants considered “The Challenges of Peace in the Trump Era.” The event was sponsored by the Coalition for Peace Action (CFPA) and 40 other area religious and civic groups. Though much of the subject matter was bleak, focusing on nuclear clashes and potentially escalating conflict with Iran and North Korea, the tone of the proceedings was at times upbeat. “Everybody left feeling elated and energized,” said CFPA Executive Director the Rev. Bob Moore, who stood at the back of the Chapel at the morning service with a range of other faith leaders — Sikh, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish — who all shook hands and wished peace to each member of the congregation on the way out. “We share so much,” Moore continued. “The emphasis is always on division, but we emphasized joining together in our diversity, coming together. It helps people feel lifted up. You feel energy, empowerment, and hope.” The Princeton University Chapel Choir, directed by Penna Rose, provided a rich assortment of uplifting interfaith music for the service. At the afternoon conference, featured speakers included University of California Professor Reza Aslan, scholar of religions and best-selling author; Costa Rica’s United Nations Ambassador Elayne Whyte Gomez, who presided over negotiations
earlier this year that led to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons supported by 122 nations; New Jersey Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, a leader on peace legislation; Rutgers Associate Korean History Professor Suzy Kim, author and executive committee member of Women Cross the DMZ; and Harvard Professor and award-winning author Elaine Scarry. Kim, author of an award-winning book on the North Korean revolution, provided an historical perspective to the current U.S.-North Korea conflict, citing brokenness and division dating back more than 60 years to the Korean War. She warned about the dangers of demonizing the enemy. Moore, advocating for diplomacy rather than war, agreed with Kim’s argument that “there are legitimate concerns on both sides,” and added, “That needs to be the starting place if we are going to solve this problem in a way that doesn’t lead to war.” Scarry, whose most recent book is Thermonuclear Monarchy: Choosing Between Democracy and Doom, argued that the nation suffers from a huge blind spot, priding itself on being a great democracy but being a complete dictatorship controlled by the president on the nuclear weapons issue. She pointed out that the president has the authority to single-handedly start a nuclear war. She noted that a policy solution to this undemocratic situation exists if Congress claims the power to assert its
appropriate role. Legislation has been introduced in Congress, she added, to restrict the first use of nuclear weapons and to require that Congress must be the only authority to declare war and authorize nuclear weapons unless the U.S. is under nuclear attack. Aslan, an Iranian-American and author of the bestselling Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, discussed the recent decertification by the U.S. of the nuclear agreement with Iran, while Continued on Page 9
Murphy’s Transition Team Has Local Representation Including Council Member
Princeton Council member Heather Howard has been named to Governorelect Phil Murphy’s transition team. Howard is among seven who will serve on the Healthcare committee. Also named is Linda Schwimmer, a member of Princeton’s Board of Health. Murphy announced his full slate of transition committees on Monday. “Our task is simple: get to work setting the blueprint to strengthen our economy and make it fair again,” said Transition 2018 Executive Director Jose Lozano in a press release. “The depth and breadth of experience in this group is stunning. Let there be no doubt: New Jersey faces massive obstacles ahead. But together, with Continued on Page 9
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PLEAS FOR PEACE: Religious scholar and bestselling author Reza Aslan speaks on “The Challenges of Peace in the Trump Era” to a gathering of about 175 conference participants at Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton on Sunday. (Photo by John Lien)