Christopher Columbus Park was flooded with protestors demanding action against gun violence on June 11.

Over 150 years after enslaved African Americans were told of their freedom in Galveston, Texas, Utah officially recognized Juneteenth National Freedom Day as a state holiday. This came about a year after the holiday became federally recognized.

Following this, the Utah Board of Higher Education approved adding the holiday to university calendars. Because June 19 falls on a Sunday this year, The University of Utah will observe Juneteenth on Monday, June 20, and professors are encouraged to cancel class.

Moving forward, classes will not take place on the holiday.

Meligha Garfield, the director of the U’s Black Cultural Center, said this recognition is an acknowledgment of a troubled past that the country has previously not come to terms with. 

“But in having an acknowledgment of, hey, this is our nation’s history and past, but that we’re moving forward and we’re actually celebrating those that were previously enslaved here in the United States, to be really folks that have built up this country,” he said. 

In the coming years, Garfield hopes Juneteenth will be treated on the same scale as other holidays and that the important history of those who were enslaved is acknowledged and shared leading up to Juneteenth.

“On top of that, I would love, you know, the wrapping of the U on campus,” he said. “Throughout the year, we have different backgrounds of folks, different ideologies, different orientations that have been able to wrap the U and so I would love to wrap the U in the Juneteenth flag going forward.”

On Wednesday, June 15, the BCC will be partnering with groups such as the U School of Medicine and the U’s equity, diversity and inclusion division to host a summit commemorating the core of the holiday: “Black excellence, achievement, education, and freedom.”

To celebrate and honor the holiday, there will be a flag raising ceremony hosted by the BCC and the division of EDI on Tuesday, June 21 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Garfield said that it speaks volumes that the U is recognizing and celebrating the holiday, but he hopes they will take a more educational approach to honor Juneteenth, rather than the high commercialization of other holidays.

“I would love the university to be in the right direction, where it’s not as much commercialized, but that it is educational, and that we can really educate our campus around, you know, that troubled past, that we don’t necessarily address as much or as often,” he said. 

Considering it took many years after the verdict of Brown v. Board of Education to desegregate schools, and with some enslaved individuals not knowing of their freedom well into the 1960s, Garfield does not want Juneteenth to become another Memorial Day Weekend.

In order to fully understand and appreciate the significance of Juneteenth, Garfield hopes instead of throwing money at a cause, people will take the time to learn of the historical and modern significance of Juneteenth and the contributions of African Americans to this country. 

“They were here before the country’s founding, and it will be well into the long history of America — all [their] contributions to its culture, to even the White House being built, to various inventions and music and entertainment, all types of different things,” he said. “We’ve had numerous contributions, and we started from being enslaved … I want people to recognize that past, and be able to talk about it.”

Jasmin Clardy, the advisor of the Black Student Union, said the recent federal and state recognition of Juneteenth feels like a breath of fresh air.

Throughout her different jobs, Clardy has had to take the day off or celebrate on the weekend. 

“It was not so much of a celebration for where I worked, but more of a celebration for me,” she said. “And I think that’s a really huge part of history, that I think this should be celebrated on a regular basis and should be celebrated nationally.”

Clardy echoed Garfield’s concerns about commercialization, saying the ability to celebrate federally is a big stepping stone — one that hopefully will propel Americans to continue to move in the direction of justice.

“Most of my grandparents now are deceased, but to be able to see the day that they will be proud … being looked at and seen in the celebration of the freedom that they fought so hard for is breathtaking,” Clardy said. 

The fact that Juneteenth falls on a weekend but will be celebrated by the U community on a weekday is actually symbolic of the holiday itself, Clardy explained. 

“It is symbolic of knowledge that all of those who were enslaved, did not know that they were free on Juneteenth,” she said. “It took some time. “

Clardy said the holiday is not about competition or combatting any belief — it is a celebration. 

“It’s just an understanding that celebrates and should be celebrated: the day that the enslaved people were free too, it was the end of the Civil War,” she said. “It was finally taking hold of actually being an American. Not a slave. Not a thing, not an item. Not worthless, actually being seen as an American.”

k.silverstein@dailyutahchronicle.com

@chronykayleigh

This article was updated on June 13, 2022, to clarify a statement made by Jasmin Clardy portrayed previously as a quote was instead paraphrasing.

The post Federal and State Recognition of Juneteenth is a ‘Breath of fresh air’ appeared first on The Daily Utah Chronicle.

The national divide in our media landscape has never been more stark: There are those who have binged “Stranger Things” season four and those who have not. The powerhouse Netflix sensation is pushing forward this summer with a noticeably-aged cast and the backing of a certain ‘80s musical masterpiece.

Fear not, if ‘80s nerdcore nostalgia isn’t your vibe, there are plenty of other exciting happenings in the world of arts and entertainment. Here’s a look at what the A&E desk is recommending this week:

“Come for Me” by Shygirl: Shygirl, the South London rapper and electronic music producer, has steadily risen through the ranks of dance pop music’s murkiest edges the last few years by cultivating a steamy club afterparty it-girl persona and crafting a sound reminiscent of a fetish club DJ remixing Rihanna. Despite boasting an astir list of collaborators (FKA twigs, Lil Uzi Vert, SOPHIE) and live shows (Berghain in Berlin, Primavera Sound in Los Angeles, many-a-club in London), Shygirl has left her growing fanbase bereft of a proper full-length studio album—until now. “Come for Me” is the latest single ahead of Shygirl’s debut this September and it takes the futurist to more experimental territory than most of her recent output. Clocking in at about seven minutes, the deconstructed club beat and disembodied vocal fades underline the studio chemistry between Shygirl and her friend/producer Arca, packing promise for the approaching album, titled “Nymph.” – James Schaak

“Conversations with Friends”: For those of you still suspended somewhere in a post-semester streaming slump, look no further than Hulu’s TV adaptation of Sally Rooney’s debut novel, “Conversations with Friends.” Centered on a pair of twenty-something former lovers and their increasingly complex interpersonal relationships, the series attempts to cover vast ground that includes an extramarital affair, reproductive-related illness and quarter-life-crisis-induced plight. While the series falls flat in many of the ways that “Normal People” seemed to soar (less chemistry in the tenderly awkward sex scenes, lackluster dialogue, etc.), it’s worth a watch for fans of Rooney’s slow-burn, realistic portrayal of modern relationships or those who find themselves enthralled by Joe Alwyn’s dry charm. – Sophia Zimmerman

“Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” by Kate Bush: If you hadn’t already known the name Kate Bush, you surely do by now. Since the release of the fourth season of “Stranger Things” late last month, the 1985 song “Running Up That Hill (Make a Deal With God)” by the British art-popstar has flown to the top of the charts for the first time in 37 years, setting records for Bush decades into her career. In the new season of “Stranger Things,” Bush’s song is used in arguably one of the best scenes of the series: the red-haired tomboyish character, Max (Sadie Sink), runs from the monstrous Dungeons & Dragons-inspired villain Vecna’s clutches toward the safety of her friends, as Bush’s heart-racing beats and psychedelic synth elevate the tension. The song’s themes of isolation easily resonate with its many new Gen-Z listeners, a demographic considered by some metrics to be the loneliest living generation. Bush’s well-deserved chart recognition and her wistful music’s reintroduction to a younger audience is perhaps the most pleasantly surprising “Stranger Things” plot twist yet. – Maya Marchel Hoff

“Stranger Things” Season 4, Volume 1: In the long-awaited fourth installment of the Duffer Brothers’ supernatural sci-fi thriller, the ode to all that is nerdy and nostalgia-worthy about the ‘80s, nothing comes easy for the zany bunch of characters, whom audiences have grown to love since the show first premiered in 2016. After a significant (pandemic-induced) delay, in the wake of the previous season’s hefty cliffhangers, the show returned with its latest edition in late May after nearly three full years without a new episode. Still, their storytelling doesn’t falter in the first half of the season (Volume 2 is slated for release this July), though it hinges on an addictive but infuriating slow burn throughout as characters, now separated due to the events of last season, struggle to reunite to accomplish their united goal to finally put a stop to the “curse” on their beloved hometown of Hawkins, Indiana. Keeping to tradition, even this volume (satisfying and explanatory as it is) ends abruptly, leaving viewers in nail-biting suspense and anticipation for a resolution that increasingly becomes more necessary throughout the release’s seven episodes. At least this time we won’t have to wait so long; I’m already dying for more. – Bel Moran

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents approved a 3.5% tuition increase on Thursday, a motion that comes during a period of inflation and financial instability for some students.

The tuition increase falls below the current national rate of inflation of 8.6%.

The increase is part of the recommended Annual Operating Budget proposed by President Joan Gabel, which includes a 4-8% increase in the room and board costs and a 3-5% increase in other operating costs.

“None of us are thrilled with the tuition increase at 3.5%,” Board Chair Kendall Powell said. “I think the fact that we landed it well below inflation … I can live with that.”

Regent Doug Huebsch said the tuition increase is important because it allows more money to be allocated to students.

“This budget has a good balance between tuition increase and wage increase and we need both,” Huebsch said.

Although a majority of board members approved the tuition increase, there were multiple concerns highlighted by regents and student representatives.

Regent Darrin Rosha said the increase will affect students’ finances in the long term. An increase in tuition combined with money from student loans is causing students to graduate with a large sum of debt, according to Rosha.

“I can’t support a budget that provides an increase in tuition when we are already this far out of line,” Rosha said.

Flora Yang, a student representative, said student wages are “insufficient” when put in comparison with tuition increases, even with a recent increase to $11 per hour for student workers.

“These issues are making it difficult for students to stay enrolled,” Yang said.

According to Yang, 85.5% of students at the University are concerned about financial problems, money and the economy.

Board Vice Chair Steve Sviggum said a decrease in tuition would lead to reductions in other parts of the budget, such as reducing the amount of money reserved for system-wide needs and from the public safety budget. He also suggested taking $28 million from the Promise Scholarship to reduce tuition.

“There is a consequence that we have to have for services and programs provided to our students,” Sviggum said.

Campus safety

The board also discussed the University’s commitment to public safety around campus amid concerns of ongoing crime, citing a recent incident on University Avenue as an example.

Gabel highlighted improvements to student neighborhoods around campus, putting emphasis on the establishment of the RAVE app and the Code Blue Emergency Phones. The University is also working toward hiring more police officers and safety ambassadors, Gabel said.

Native American Affairs update

Since the establishment of the Native American Promise Tuition pProgram, there has been a 16.7% increase in confirmed Native American enrollment on the Twin Cities campus. Karen Diver, senior advisor to the president for Native American Affairs, and Tadd Johnson, senior director of American Indian Tribal Nations Relations, presented the numbers to the board at Friday’s meeting.

The tribes have been receptive to the program and the goal is to increase enrollment and create communities for Native American students on campus, Diver said.

“[The students] need to find a home and a safe place,” Diver said. “At an institution like this, they have an extra burden of being representational.”

NXT GEN AG

A new agriculture program called NXT GEN AG will begin in spring 2023 developed by the Educational Leadership department, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, the Crookston campus and Google.

Designed to meet the needs of rural students and employees in their respective communities, the program will allow students living in rural communities to complete a bachelor of science in agriculture and develop their professional skills.

The program will use Google software to help students and faculty identify highly-demanded professional skills. The software will also track skill development.

Students enrolled in the program will work with a student success coach who will assist students in achieving their goals related to a career in agriculture.

The Board of Regents approved Gophers men’s basketball head coach Ben Johnson’s one-year contract extension at their meeting Thursday. He will now remain with the program through the 2026-27 season.

Johnson, a graduate of the University of Minnesota, attended the local DeLaSalle High School before playing for the Gophers basketball team for three seasons.

As a first-time head coach last season, Johnson took over for previous head coach Richard Pitino, who was fired after eight seasons and two NCAA tournament appearances. Johnson was previously an assistant coach for the Gophers from 2013 to 2018 under Pitino.

The Gophers accumulated a 13-17 record in Johnson’s first season, going 4-16 in Big Ten play. Despite the losses, the Gophers competed in many close games last season with some of the best teams in the conference.

“Ben has done a tremendous job guiding our men’s basketball program,” said Director of Athletics Mark Coyle in a statement. “His team plays with a tenacity and grit that should make every Gopher fan proud, and they are excelling in the classroom and the community as well. Ben is recruiting the state of Minnesota at a high level and has restored some of that magic to Williams Arena. I look forward to Ben leading our program for years to come.”

Johnson and the Gophers will look to build on the potential they showed last season, with three incoming transfers and a top freshman class headlined by 2022 Minnesota Mr. Basketball, Braeden Carrington.

The Hilton on campus serves as both a functional hotel, and a learning environment.| File photo

With over 9,526 alumni working in hospitality leadership positions in more than 50 countries around the world, the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership has continued such excellence with new renovations and the construction of new facilities. 

Currently, the Hilton University of Houston is undergoing a $30.4 million expansion and renovation that is expected to be completed in early 2023. The hotel serves both as a functioning hotel, as well as a learning environment for students enrolled in the Hilton College. 

“The original building had a massive meeting space (multiple ballrooms) but only 86 lodging rooms,” said the Dean of the Hilton College Dennis Reynolds. 

As a result, the current project consists of an expansion of a new five-story tower with 70 guest rooms and a renovation of existing towers. Thus allowing the college to have a total of 150 rooms, which is the ideal quantity given the banquet space.

Financing is through a revenue bond issued by the UH System that the Hilton College will repay once the project is completed through revenue generated by the hotel.

“We hope to provide a service to the University in terms of hotel rooms, dining options and large meetings,” Reynolds said. “The new tower can better serve the University and community.” 

The project will also help the college fulfill its mission statement. Specifically, the college hopes to foster an environment that includes community, innovation, collaboration, integrity and experiential learning, Reynolds explained.

Exposure to a hospitality and hotel management working environment can further students’ learning and provide an insight into future career options. In addition, students can become more engaged in the community through such active learning.

“The purpose of our Hilton Hotel is to provide a learning laboratory for our students,” Reynolds said. “The project also ensures that our students will experience the latest in hotel design, with particular emphasis on technology.”

news@thedailycougar.com

—
“Hilton College renovations expand University accommodations” was originally posted on The Cougar

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve heard of witchcraft and its various subcategories. These secret societies have been around for centuries, but they’ve recently seen a resurgence in popularity thanks to media coverage and the Internet. In response to the growing interest in witchcraft and other occult practices, there has been an uptick in witch trials all over the world. In practical terms, this means that there is a greater risk than ever of being accused of witchcraft or being friends with people who are accused of it. If you fear that you or someone you know might be a victim of witchcraft, take note of these signs.

How To Know If You’re A Victim Of Witchcraft

1. You’re in constant fear.

It’s natural to be afraid of things you don’t understand, but if you are constantly afraid of being accused of witchcraft, then you may be in the grip of a witch hunt. There is no need to panic; it’s more important that you take steps to ensure your safety.

2. You’re paranoid.

The best way to tell if you are a victim is if you have taken steps toward defending yourself against witchcraft accusations. This could involve visiting an exorcist, performing a ritual for protection, or even consulting with a lawyer about the matter. If this is what has happened to you, then it’s likely that the people who are accusing you are trying to intimidate and scare you into silence.

3. You’re angry and frustrated with the people who are accusing you of witchcraft and other occult practices (such as voodoo).

There is a possibility that those who accuse others of witchcraft do this because they themselves believe in these phenomena or because they want attention for their own personal gain (i.e., fame). If this is the case, then it might be best not to engage with them at all, as they may use your anger against you later on down the line when they begin their own witch hunts against other people in order to receive more attention from others.

4. You’re being accused of witchcraft and other occult practices by people who have no idea what they’re talking about.

This is the most dangerous sign of all, as it means that you may be a victim of something much more sinister than witchcraft. If this is the case, then it’s very likely that there are people out there who are using you to further their own agenda and gain personal satisfaction at your expense.

5. You’re being accused of witchcraft because you’ve been targeted by a witch hunt before.

If you’ve been targeted by other people who have accused you of witchcraft, then it might be best to avoid that particular group in the future. If this is what has happened to you in the past, then it means that these groups are always on the lookout for new targets for their witch hunts; making them dangerous and unpredictable entities at best. As such, it’s important not to get too close to them or allow yourself to become emotionally invested in their issues; as they may use these emotions against you later on down the line when they start accusing other people of being witches in order to receive more attention from others (and raise their own profile).

What Is Witchcraft?

Witchcraft is a broad and loosely defined term. In some contexts, it refers to the use of supernatural powers for good. In other contexts, it refers to the use of supernatural powers for nefarious purposes. The latter is the type of witchcraft that has plagued Europe and the Americas for centuries. The accused is typically a woman, and her crimes are believed to include the use of black magic, the manipulation of the elements, and various other acts of mayhem. The word “witch” is believed to derive from the word “which,” which was the Old English term for “sorcerer.” While a sorcerer uses spells and incantations to bring about the desired effect, a witch is believed to use a different method.

What Will Happen  If You’re A Victim Of Witchcraft

You Have a Reputation for Being “Suspicious”

It’s not uncommon for people to be accused of witchcraft because they have a reputation for being “suspicious.” Witchcraft is a secretive practice, and it is often pursued by people who don’t want their neighbors to know about their activities. A person who keeps to himself or herself; who prefers the company of animals to humans; who is known to prefer dark and gloomy places—this person may have been targeted by a witch who wants to go unnoticed. If you suspect that you’ve been accused of witchcraft because of your reputation, there are things that you can do to clear your name. Meeting your neighbors and introducing yourself to the community will go a long way, as will cleaning up your appearance.

Your Possessions Are Disappearing

The disappearance of your possessions may be an indication that someone has targeted you for witchcraft. Witches are believed to steal from their victims as a means of collecting ingredients for their spells; witches are known to use a variety of ingredients in their magic, including hair, fingernails, and blood. If your toothbrush suddenly disappears; if your hairbrush goes missing; if your jewelry and clothing have vanished, it could be a sign that someone has targeted you for witchcraft. Witches are known to target specific items of clothing. A black shawl, for example, is particularly prized by witches.

You Hear Strange Noises in Your Home

If you hear strange sounds in your home at unusual times of the day, it could be a sign that witchcraft is taking place there. Witches are known to magically transform themselves into animals (typically crows and bats) so that they can fly around and spy on their victims. When they transform back into their human form, they are likely to drop their witch’s hat. Crows landing on the roof of your home could be an indication that someone has been spying on you. If you hear strange noises in your home at unusual hours, this may be a sign that witchcraft is taking place.

Someone Has Scrawled Symbols on your Walls

If someone has scrawled symbols or incantations on your walls, it could be a sign that witchcraft is taking place in your home. Witches are known to scrawl various symbols on the walls of their homes and on the walls of the homes of their victims. These symbols may be used to scrawl curses on the walls of the victim’s home. They may also serve as a means for witches to communicate with each other. If you find strange symbols scrawled on your walls, you should be on the lookout for signs of witchcraft.

You Feel Ill at Frequent and Unusual Times

If you are feeling particularly ill at frequent and unusual times of the year, it could be a sign that witchcraft is taking place in your home. Witches are known to curse their victims by using hexes. They may use an item that once belonged to their victim, such as a piece of clothing, as a means of cursing them. They may also use the blood of their victim, or the blood of their victim’s loved ones, as a means of cursing them. If you are feeling ill at frequent and unusual intervals, you should be on the lookout for signs of witchcraft.

Conclusion

If you see any of these signs, there is a good chance that you or someone you know has been targeted by witchcraft. Be on the lookout for these signs, and be vigilant about protecting yourself and your loved ones from witchcraft. If you find that you are a victim of witchcraft, there are things that you can do to protect yourself. Cleanse your home of witchcraft by burning sage or other herbs. Get yourself and your loved ones some protection; wearing a hex bracelet or necklace is a good idea.

The post How To Know If You’re A Victim Of Witchcraft appeared first on Marquette Tribune.

Natalie Reese was one of the student leaders of March for Our Lives Utah in 2018, which took to the streets after the school shooting in Parkland, Florida which killed 17 people. Four years later, as a junior at Brigham Young University, she is fighting for the same cause.

“It’s definitely discouraging and I did not plan on being back here in four years, but here we are,” Reese said.

Almost six months into the year, there have already been at least 246 mass shootings in the United States.

Among these shootings are the racist attack at a grocery store that killed 10 people in Buffalo, New York and the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas that killed 19 children and two teachers. The shooting in Texas took place just 10 days after the one in Buffalo.  

These incidents have led to a renewed push for gun control legislation, with thousands gathering nationwide on June 11 at March for Our Lives rallies in at least 45 states, including Utah, where hundreds of people gathered to march from West High School to the state Capitol.

As the protestors gathered in front of West High, Savannah Pursglove, head organizer of the event and BYU student, gave instructions to the crowd and led them in practicing chants. Students and educators were instructed to move to the front of the march.

In attendance at the march were recent graduates of Judge Memorial High School Penelope Dalton and Georgia Stockham. They said the fear of mass shootings is something that has been present for the entirety of their school lives.

“I remember when I was in third grade, I had my first lockdown,” Dalton said. “My mom was like, ‘Every parent was there after Sandy Hook to pick their kids up,’ and every parent was there again to pick their kids up after Uvalde a few weeks ago.” 

Stockham said witnessing these events unfold has motivated her to be politically engaged in helping make change now that she is old enough. 

“I remember doing the 17 minutes of silence for Parkland … we all stayed quiet and it was just like, ‘Okay, this is where it’s going to change,’ and it didn’t,” Stockham said. “Now that I’m old enough to finally vote and really be active politically I just want to actually change this.” 

Protestors held up signs reading “Don’t just pray, do something,” and “Why are we making our children braver than our leaders?” as cars passing by honked their horns in support. 

Chants of  “No more silence, end gun violence,” and “Hey, hey, NRA, how many kids have you killed today?” could be heard as protestors marched. As the group approached the Capitol and marched inside, chants of “This is what democracy looks like” and “Vote them out” echoed inside the building.

Despite her disappointment at having to return to fight for the same cause four years later, Reese said she is hopeful that their actions will lead to change. 

“After 2018 in a midterm election, 70 gun legislation bills were passed either at the state or federal level,” Reese said. “So it is possible to have change.” 

Reese said the organization is pushing for “common sense gun legislation,” and is calling on Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Mitt Romney to vote in favor of the gun control bills that were recently passed in the House of Representatives and are not expected to pass the Senate.

The first bill is a package of gun control legislation called the “Protecting Our Kids Act.” Among its reforms are raising the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic weapons from 18 to 21 years old, banning large-capacity magazines and bump stocks and regulating the storage of firearms.

The second bill would set a federal “red-flag law,” which allows a person’s firearms to be temporarily confiscated if they are considered to be a danger to themselves or others.

Reese said these are regulations which all people, including conservative voters and gun owners, should be in support of. 

“We’re not advocating for all guns to be taken away,” Reese said. “I’m totally fine with people having hunting guns, but we think there are some guns that shouldn’t be in the hands of citizens.” 

Dalton comes from a gun-owning family and said she wants to see legislators raise the age to buy assault rifles to 21, add a mandatory waiting period after gun purchases and expand background checks. 

“I think it’s insane that I can’t go and drink a beer, but I can go and buy an AR-15 if I want to,” Dalton said. “Three days can be the change between someone being angry and shooting at the school versus realizing that maybe that’s not what they should do.”

Once the protestors had filed into the Capitol building, they gathered to hear various speakers take the podium. This included speeches from the original March for Our Lives student organizers, an elementary and high school student, and local educators and activists. 

State Sen. Derek Kitchen, who recently opened a bill in the state legislature to raise the minimum age for buying a gun from 18 to 21, was also in attendance at the protest. Kitchen said he opened the bill to take an important step towards ending gun violence.

“We should be able to go to the grocery store, or to the movie theater, or to go to fourth grade class and learn without fear of being murdered,” Kitchen said. “When you’re nine years old, you should be more focused on learning math and making friends than you should be about losing your life unnecessarily to gun violence because politicians refuse to take any meaningful action.” 

When one speaker prompted the crowd to look around and question how many politicians they saw, one person could be heard shouting, “Derek Kitchen.” Sen. Kitchen said although he wished he were joined by more legislators, the bottom line is for them to show up when it comes to signing legislation. 

“I wish more politicians would show up, but I don’t need them here if they’re going to vote for the right bills,” Kitchen said. 

Kitchen encouraged people who want to see gun reform to stay engaged by voting and writing to their senators and representatives in the House to support his legislation to raise the age to purchase a firearm. 

“Write your senator, write your representative in the House and write the governor and then do it again,” Kitchen said. ‘You’ve got to keep up the pressure, and they’ve got to feel it.” 

Deborah Gatrell, a high school social studies teacher in the Granite School District, shared her experience of losing a student to a shooting off campus in her speech, and spoke against the framing of school shootings as an issue for schools to take on individually.

“Schools cannot bear this burden alone,” Gatrell said. “Yes, we need to pay attention to social and emotional learning and safety and bullying, and none of those require us to carry a gun.”

In her speech, Terri Gilfillan, a board member at the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah, discussed the 10-year report on gun violence the center created and sent to state legislators, which highlighted solutions supported by evidence. She criticized their inaction and called for legislators to recognize the solutions out there that have been proven to work. 

“We don’t have to live like this,” Gilfillan said. “We know that this doesn’t happen in other developed countries. They also have mental health issues … but they do not have the carnage that we have been experiencing every day.” 

Gilfillan warned of the urgency of taking action. 

“We are a tinderbox here in Utah,” Gilfillan said. “What happened in Texas was devastating. But it is happening everywhere and it’s going to happen here, it’s just a matter of time. … We have one of the laxest gun laws in the country right here in Utah. … Our legislators care more about the gun lobby than they care about the people of this state.”

University of Utah senior and March for Our Lives organizer Saey Kamtekar ended her speech with a memorial of the victims of mass shootings in Buffalo, Uvalde and Tulsa, listing their names and ages.

“I ask you all to remember these names, names that could have been on the news for reasons other than pointless bloodshed at the hands of state-tolerated gun violence,” Kamtekar said. “Go forth with empathy and anger and fight for the future stolen from countless others.” 

Reese said if there’s one message she hopes people in attendance at the protest leave with, it’s their power to hold elected officials accountable. 

“I want people to vote in midterms,” Reese said. “I want them to vote out politicians that take money over people’s lives. We have that power to elect and un-elect people and I think it’s time that we did that.” 

a.khatri@dailyutahchronicle.com

@a_khatri_news

The post Protestors March to State Capitol Advocating for Gun Legislation appeared first on The Daily Utah Chronicle.

The Los Angeles mayoral race will go to a runoff in November after both candidates, USC Board of Trustees Chairman Rick Caruso and U.S. Rep. Karen Bass, fell short of the decisive 50% vote mark that would have secured a victory in Tuesday’s primary election. With slightly more than 70% of the ballots counted, Caruso leads the race with 40.5% of the vote and Bass runs up with 38.8%, while L.A. City Councilman Kevin de León trails with 7.6% of the vote. 

Although billionaire real estate developer Caruso joined the race late on Feb. 11 — compared to Bass, who announced her candidacy Sept. 27 — his platform developed a following with its tough approaches to crime and the homelessness crisis. Caruso spent approximately $41 million of his own money on advertising, a staple of his campaign. 

Chairman of the Board of Trustees since 2018 and a board member since 2007, Caruso, a USC alum, announced in February that he would step down from chairmanship to run for mayor after a “transition process” was complete. A replacement to fill his position has yet to be announced and Caruso continues to serve as chairman. 

Prior to the election, Bass led Caruso in the polls with the support of 38% of likely voters, while Caruso had 32%. Bass has maintained her involvement in L.A. throughout her political career in Washington D.C. She campaigned to bring more resources to L.A, such as providing housing to 15,000 unhoused individuals during her first year in office and increasing the police department staff from 9,521 to 9,700.

Bass, a USC alumna, notably received a scholarship for her graduate studies at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, and completed her studies during her time in Congress with help of the scholarship. However, some campaign ads targeting Bass highlighted the connection between her and the University, suggesting the deal influenced Bass’ Congressional voting record. 

A significant takeaway from Wednesday’s election was the low voter turnout seen at the polls. Only about 18% of the city’s eligible electorate cast ballots in the primary, early vote totals show. Mindy Romero, the director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy and a professor of public policy,  said that the city always experienced low voter turnout when it came to mayoral elections.

“[The city of L.A.] just recently switched to align their city elections with statewide elections, but we still knew that overall turnout would be low, no matter what,” Mindy said. “At a state level, we are flirting with a record-low turnout period for a statewide primary. In L.A. city, we may see we may not break a record, but it’ll still be low.”

Mindy attributes the low turnout to the ways in which the candidates’ campaigns target specific audiences. Since campaign leaders are able to use information from prior turnouts, she said, they often target audiences who are already likely to come to the polls — “likely voters” — and focus the campaign’s attention on their needs.

“We have lots of research that shows that even registered voters, if they don’t get that likely voter model, they’re not going to get a lot of outreach and mail that the diehard voters get and so they’re not really encouraged to participate at the ballot,” Mindy said.

College students, traditionally aged 18 to 23, constitute a substantial portion of the youth vote. Student voter turnout has reached historic highs in recent elections — in the 2020 United States presidential election, when the national voting rate was approximately 67%, 66% of students nationwide came to the polls. While not all USC students live in L.A. permanently and vote in L.A. primaries, the University’s ties to the election and the top candidates elicited some student engagement with the mayoral race nonetheless.

Tylar Hedrick, a rising junior majoring in international relations and Spanish, was unable to vote in the election due to her Idaho identification. She spoke of the candidates’ lack of genuine outreach to the L.A. community and their superficial approaches to many issues, including homelessness.

“It’s kind of difficult to determine anything one way or the other because there’s a lot of idealists who see Rick Caruso’s goals like ‘end homelessness permanently,’ but that’s not really how that works,” Hedrick said. “Unless we address the systemic issues, which are resulting in homelessness, you can’t actually end it.” 

Due to this disconnect, Hedrick suggests students and young voters volunteer within unhoused and otherwise marginalized communities to better understand the issues they face. 

“Once you actually interact with those community members, you’ve learned that there’s a whole lot more depth to the story than the oversimplified narrative that is pushed upon them by popular culture and popular society,” Hedrick said.

Blanca Godoy, a rising sophomore majoring in political science, worked at a local poll station during Tuesday’s primary. She said young voters should exercise their right to democratic participation more, as they have choices that others do not.

“I think just having the right to vote is a privilege and the first step is to accept that you are in a privileged position, right,” Godoy said. “By looking at it through that way, I think I can motivate you to actually go and exercise your voice just because of the fact that other people don’t have it.”

Gabe Romero, a rising senior majoring in political science and environmental studies, voted for Karen Bass in this election as he believes her to be more progressive and more “to the left of the aisle” compared to Caruso.

“’I’m really passionate about the environment, so climate change and sustainability was a major issue for me in this campaign,” Gabe said. “Karen Bass is the only candidate with any plan regarding sustainability or climate change at all. So again, that makes me want to support Karen Bass over Rick Caruso given he has no plan about that.”

Caruso’s campaign website addresses three issues: “end street homelessness,” “public safety,” and “corruption & ethics.” 

Gabe said he questions Caruso’s credibility due to the way he has handled the scandals that have come before the Board of Trustees, as well as his prior political affiliation as a Republican. The University administration has drawn criticism stemming from various scandals, including delaying the release of information about drugging and sexual assault cases at the Sigma Nu Fraternity house in September 2021. In a separate issue, U.S. News & World Report recently addressed a letter to President Carol Folt and Caruso requiring letters of certification to be issued regarding its submissions for college rankings after misreports by the Rossier School of Education were discovered in an independent investigation.

“I don’t think he actually wants to serve the people. I don’t think he actually wants to serve Los Angeles in the best way. I think he wants to be mayor so that he can make decisions and help the wealthy and help himself,” Gabe said. “He has a terrible track record running the USC Board of Trustees. USC has had scandal after scandal after scandal for the past 10-plus years. That’s not great on your resume either.”

This article was updated at 4:25 p.m. PST on June 12 to reflect the most recent vote percentage totals.

The post Caruso yet to step down from chairmanship following close primary in L.A. mayoral race appeared first on Daily Trojan.

‘We can share our stories here’: Cafe Etoile opens in Downtown Berkeley

Justin Wang/Staff

Formerly called Cafe Nostos, Cafe Etoile has been bringing familial warmth to Downtown Berkeley since its opening Memorial Day weekend.

Tucked behind the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Berkeley Way sits a rustic, plant-filled cafe called Cafe Etoile.

Taeuhk Kim and Mi Lee opened Cafe Etoile after they moved to Berkeley, eyeing the younger population of students as potential customers for their adventurous cuisine.

“I want Etoile to be a place for people to come sit and relax. Some might sit down to study, others sit down to drink coffee,” Kim said. “I want it to be a resting place for people.”

Kim noted the cafe was named for the North Star, as “étoile” is French for the word “star.” Although the owners considered keeping the cafe’s previous name, they settled on Cafe Etoile to refer back to the North Star’s legacy as a guide toward refuge.

According to Kim, the cafe serves a fusion of French and Korean cuisine. One particularly innovative dish is the “croffle,” an invention that looks and feels like a waffle but tastes like a croissant, Kim said.

“It is really famous in my country,” Kim said. “You can add everything on a croffle, like a fried egg, bacon or even fruit.”

Kim added that the cafe’s most popular dishes are the chicken croffle and the bulgogi sandwich, which Kim’s wife, Lee, added to the menu. An experienced chef, Lee has also introduced French dishes like the croque madame and croque monsieur to the cafe, Kim said.

Since Cafe Etoile’s opening Memorial Day weekend, the cafe has received between 50 to 100 customers per day, according to Kim. He said he hopes to increase that number to 200.

“Right now, we are not doing a lot of marketing or promotion, but in the future, I want to see people line up out the door,” Kim said.

Cafe Etoile takes the place of Cafe Nostos, which closed at the end of April earlier this year. According to Megan Boye, a Cafe Etoile barista, the spirit of the former is sustained by its successor thanks to the efforts of Cafe Etoile’s owners.

Boye emphasized that Cafe Etoile is unique because of its familiarity and friendliness. She noted a “family aspect” in the cafe’s environment, claiming that getting to know customers on a personal basis and memorizing their orders allows for “one-on-one” interactions not found in chain eateries.

Regardless of plans to expand the menu or branch out in the future, Kim’s vision remains consistent. He wants to serve healthy food and drinks in a comfortable space while ensuring one main tenet: “The customer is king.”

“Any time someone comes to my space, sometimes we talk about their lives and sometimes we talk about my life,” Kim said. “I want to be like a family, all together, so we can share our stories here.”

Kavya Gupta is a deputy news editor. Contact her at kgupta@dailycal.org, and follow her on Twitter at @kavyaguptta.

The Daily Californian