"The students will be heard."
Legislators were more than shocked when that chant rang throughout the room at the Duke Student Government general body meeting Wednesday evening, as student anti-war activists unexpectedly took over to question the organization's legitimacy as a representative body and conduct a teach-in on the war with Iraq.
That takeover followed DSG President Joshua Jean-Baptiste's statement to legislators, in which he did not comment on his arrest and assault charge last weekend.
Forty-five minutes into the meeting, about 30 students dressed mostly in black and wearing buttons with peace signs walked in and spread out at the front of the room.
"This meeting has been interrupted by a group of concerned Duke students," said junior Yousuf Al-Bulushi, reading a statement. "We are your constituents, the people who put you in office, and whom you are all supposed to represent."
Two weeks ago, legislators voted 22-12 not to adopt a resolution that opposed unilateral action against Iraq. Students who took over the meeting last night said legislators had not taken that resolution seriously. "The idea is that we come and present this to you and that you listen respectfully because you did not last time," junior Jessica Rutter told legislators last night.
Al-Bulushi added that the University of Texas had debated a similar resolution for four hours compared to DSG's 30-minute discussion.
Chaos ensued when the students entered, as legislators exchanged confused glances and began talking in excited tones. Justin Ford, who was facilitating the meeting as DSG executive vice president, grew agitated. "We're trying to have a meeting here," he yelled, banging his gavel forcefully and repeatedly to restore order.
Al-Bulushi and other students continued to read prepared statements meant to educate the Legislature, including statistics on the deaths caused by U.S. sanctions on Iraq and discrimination against international students.
When legislators tried to respond or continued talking, the reader paused as other anti-war activists took up chants calling for DSG members to listen - from "Let her finish!" to "Hear us speak!" to "Listen to the people!"
Most legislators initially treated the students' presentation as a joke. "Does anyone know how much a plane ticket to France costs?" yelled Will Fagan, DSG attorney general. "Because you might want to go visit."
Sophomore Avery Capone called out "You guys are all hippies!" to the beat of the student chants.
Ford, a senior, said he called the police, who stood outside the room about to enter.
"Why don't you all do what you're going to do and get the hell out of here?" Ford yelled, with his arms raised. "We're trying to have a goddamn meeting!"
Gradually, though, more legislators wanted to hear what the students had to say.
Despite four different legislators calling for a public forum or motioning for the speakers to be recognized, DSG eventually voted for a recess until next Wednesday.
After the meeting, some legislators stayed to continue discussion with the student activists. Junior Alex Niejelow suggested holding a town hall meeting later to facilitate discussion, and students talked about creating a referendum.
Overall, activists said the takeover and teach-in were successful. "We had some really great discussion afterwards about what is DSG, what are the representative powers of DSG, and how is DSG representing the student body, but also about the war," Rutter said.
Ford said that, for the remaining meetings this year, "there will always be someone there to remove disruptive members of the public. Members of the public are always welcome for public forum though."
Earlier that evening, Jean-Baptiste addressed the DSG Legislature.
"Hello, everyone. I'm fine," Jean-Baptiste, a senior, said. "I've been in my room. I'm sorry, but I cannot comment on the events of Saturday night."
Instead, Jean-Baptiste invited senior Polentzi Narvarte, president of Spectrum - a multicultural organization - to speak. Narvarte read a statement accusing The Chronicle of "blatant disregard for reporting the facts.... Everyone who knows [Jean-Baptiste and the other two students arrested] personally knows that this article and its reporting is ridiculous," Narvarte said. "To drag [the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity] and its members through the mud in this manner is as deplorable as it is irresponsible, especially on a predominantly white, racialized campus like Duke where minority greeks are extremely misunderstood."
He also noted that "a quick fact check would have revealed that there is no fifth floor where Tushar Kirtane lives, and his window does not face where this incident was reported."
Reached by phone Wednesday evening, Kirtane, a sophomore who was quoted in the article as a witness, asserted that he did witness the fight from his window in room 514 of Edens 2A.
IN OTHER BUSINESS: Legislators confirmed four nominations for next year's presidential cabinet, including that of junior Donald Wine for head line monitor.
Legislators also approved a resolution that would support phasing in a Central Campus parking permit fee over the next two years. Catherine Reeve, director of parking and transportation services, said Wednesday that the permit would cost $100 rather than $190.
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