Editor’s note: This article was initially published in The Daily Gazette, Swarthmore’s online, daily newspaper founded in Fall 1996. As of Fall 2018, the DG has merged with The Phoenix. See the about page to read more about the DG.
The Daily Gazette
Swarthmore College
Wednesday, September 10, 1997
Volume 2, Number 8
NEWS IN BRIEF
1) New a cappella group seeks freedom for condemned man
2) Trotter renovation almost done
3) World news roundup
SPORTS IN BRIEF
1) Men’s rugby alive, well and training new recruits
2) Tennis team looks ahead to challenging schedule
3) Today’s and tomorrow’s contests
WEATHER FORECAST
Today: Showers throughout the day. High of 75.
The Bio-Stream will probably still be dry.
Tonight: Rain continues. Low around 65.
Close your windows (unless you like soggy rooms).
Tomorrow: Mostly cloudy with, you guessed it, more rain. High near 75.
NEWS REPORT
1) New a cappella group seeks freedom for condemned man
To raise awareness about the impending execution of Mumia Abu-Jamal,
Maurisa Thompson ’98 and Lis Swim ’99 are gathering together activists with
loud and talented voices. Swarthmore’s newest a cappella group, the Freedom
Singers, will be “singing for Mumia’s freedom,” they said.
Thompson and Swim said that while they had always wanted to start an a
cappella group, they became inspired after attending a rally protesting
Jamal’s death sentence. Jamal was convicted of the 1981 murder of a police
officer, and his execution is set for December.
Protesters are demanding a new trial because the main witness in Jamal’s
trial has recanted her testimony, five other witnesses supported his alibi,
and he was allegedly mistreated while in police custody. His outspokenness
against police mismanagement has led some to conclude he was a victim of
conspiracy and racism. Jamal himself maintains his innocence.
By starting an a cappella group, Thompson and Swim say they hope to “bring
song into the movement … particularly old protest songs.” Swim explained,
“Singing enforces the human connection, and (Jamal) is human, our human
brother.” There will be a meeting Thursday at 8 p.m. in the lobby of Lang
Music Building for those interested in joining the group.
*****
2) Trotter renovation almost done
The renovation of Trotter Hall should be complete in a few weeks, according
to Larry Schall, associate vice president for facilities and services.
The new central staircase doesn’t have a railing yet, he said, and it
remains closed off from the rest of the building, which students and
faculty are already using.
Another construction project, the installation of a new steam pipe between
DuPont Science Building and Cornell Library, started about a week ago and
“should be done very soon,” Schall said.
Buildings up for work once Trotter is done include Worth Residence Hall,
which will be renovated this summer, and DuPont, he said.
*****
3) World news roundup
NATO FORCES END STANDOFF AT BOSNIAN HOTEL
Soldiers from the NATO peacekeeping force ended a standoff between rival
Serb groups in Bosnia on Tuesday, escorting allies of war crimes suspect
Radovan Karadzic from a hotel where supporters of Bosnian Serb President
Biljana Plavsic had trapped them. Karadzic’s supporters, including dozens
of heavily armed security guards, had come to Banja Luka, Plavsic’s
stronghold, for a rally Monday against her. NATO and U.S. officials charged
that the rally was merely an excuse for bringing in weapons and thousands
of Karadzic supporters for a coup attempt against Plavsic.
ALBRIGHT BEGINS TOUR OF TENSE MIDDLE EAST
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright set out Tuesday on a week-long trip
to the Middle East, where she will visit first Israel and then Syria,
Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Jordan in hopes of reviving faltering peace talks.
Israeli officials called on Albright to urge the Palestinian Authority to
tighten security in the wake of last week’s suicide bombing in Jerusalem.
Palestinian officials said Israel’s recent decision to freeze the handover
of West Bank land and an Israeli construction project in Arab East
Jerusalem had caused the deadlock and should top Albright’s agenda. She
told news organizations that both sides’ issues were important and that she
would encourage both sides to fulfill their responsibilities under the 1993
Oslo peace accord.
*****
SPORTS UPDATE
1) Men’s rugby alive, well and training new recruits
The rumor that lack of interest has spelled the end of the men’s rugby team
this year is just a myth. Dan Barrick ’98, captain along with Chris Jahnke
’98, said there are about 20 players, including not only experienced
returning athletes but also many “eager and very talented rookies (who are)
picking up skills quickly.” More people are still joining the team, he
said. Rugby is almost never played in high school, so the men are
developing “a sense of real team” from handing down techniques to the new
players, Barrick said. The captains said they were anxious to put their
team to the test at its first game, Sept. 20 against Millersville on DuPont
Field.
*****
2) Tennis team looks ahead to challenging schedule
Top Division I schools such as Villanova, St. John’s, and Army highlight
the schedule of the men’s tennis team this year. With only three of last
year’s players not returning and a field of strong freshmen, the team is
looking forward to its first contest, this weekend at the Bloomsburg
tournament. Team member John Leary ’00 said the top players are himself,
captain Roger Werner ’98, Greg Emkey ’99, Sasha Sheehan ’00 and John Temin
’00, with Pete Schilla and Dennis Mook heading up the freshmen. In addition
to coaching the team, Mike Mullan is teaching a course this fall in the
sociology and anthropology department, “The Social Development of Sport.”
*****
3) Today’s and tomorrow’s contests
TODAY
Men’s soccer travels to Albright College for a 4 p.m. game.
Women’s soccer plays Widener College at 4 p.m. on Clothier Field.
TOMORROW
Women’s tennis hosts Millersville at 4 p.m.
*****
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The Daily Gazette
Board of Editors
Fred Bush
Kate Doty
Aarti Iyer
Jennifer Klein
Karen Lloyd
Lorrin Nelson
Sam Schulhofer-Wohl
Weatherman
Rafi Dowty
Contributing Writer
Trang Pham
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This concludes today’s report.
Copyright 1997 by The Daily Gazette. All rights reserved.