Press Release from:
Contact: Christopher Simpson
CAMPAIGN TO REMOVE FRESHMEN FROM SIDEWALKS IN SECOND SUCCESSFUL WEEK
Princeton, N.J.
A group of students at Princeton University would like to eliminate the right of freshmen to walk on campus sidewalks. Stating that they would like to “preserve traditional sidewalk values” that define a sidewalk as a “pathway for sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students, faculty, staff, and other members of the university community,” the group, which is acting in support of a measure termed “Princeton Proposition 8,” is now entering its second successful week of demonstration.
The students emphasize that they are not “froshophobic” and that some of their best friends are freshmen, but they maintain that freshmen on the sidewalk degrade the sacred institution of sidewalks, and jeopardize the validity of upperclassmen’s own perambulation. It also makes some of them uncomfortable. They are very excited that California’s Proposition 8 has set a clear precedent for a majority to eliminate a minority group’s civil rights, and they see it as a perfect opportunity to utilize this development for their own gain.
The demonstration, which has featured signs, chants, and original music, has collected almost 500 signatures for a petition in support of Princeton Proposition 8, including those of many professors and even University President Shirley M. Tilghman. A video report of the protest produced by the University’s ‘Daily Princetonian’ has received 21,000 views on YouTube in just two days. It has also been featured on dozens of regional and national blogs including Campus Progress Action’s Pushback, DailyKos, and Andrew Sullivan’s Daily Dish. The organizers of the demonstration have also begun outreach to other universities.
The demonstration will continue at the plaza in front of Firestone Library on the Princeton campus between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Nov. 24 and 25.
The Princeton Proposition 8 campaign aims to secure the definition of Princeton University sidewalks as a means of pedestrian transit for sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students, faculty, staff, and other members of the university community, but supports the elimination of the right of freshmen to walk on sidewalks.
Only walking on sidewalks by sophomores, juniors, and senior students is valid or recognized at Princeton.
According to The Daily Princetonian, Princeton Proposition 8 members “are rather perturbed that [California] has allowed the majority to rescind the rights of a minority group: the very sort of thing a constitutional democracy is designed to prevent.”
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That sounds kinda fucked-up to me – if you’re paying tuition just like everyone else, it’s your damn sidewalk to use also.
UGH, reminds me of my old college and the floor monitor telling me that I couldn’t drink or party because it was a “christian” school. And then I looked him in the eye and popped open Jose Cuervo.
Comment by Scott — November 24, 2008 @ 10:35 pm
I think it’s a demonstration that is trying to prove a point…
Comment by Emily K — November 24, 2008 @ 10:50 pm
Emily,
LOL!! I was fed up with the article before I reached that last small paragraph!
Not that it’s unheard of, for colleges and schools to play that stupid “seniority” BS with freshmen.
Comment by Scott — November 24, 2008 @ 10:59 pm
Well we got to keep up a tradition don’t we? I mean, the government is going to prevent gay marriage because of “tradition” why don’t we prevent freshman from walking on the sidewalk? It is a “tradition” after all.
Comment by James — November 25, 2008 @ 8:04 pm
I thought this was a joke until I read the whole thing. I live near there and princetonians have always had a reputation for having their noses so high in the air a bird could shit on it. This is the same university that used to have a bunch of guys run nude through the town and campus whenever they had the first snowfall. I think it was called the nude olympics or something like that. The practice was stopped because too many prudes complained. They should bring back the nude guys running and let the freshman walk wherever the hell everyone else walks.
Comment by Gary (NJ) — November 26, 2008 @ 2:40 pm
Brilliant satire. Yes, they are making a point against prop 8, folks. It is so well done.
Comment by Jos — December 5, 2008 @ 4:41 pm