The Marlin Chronicle Nationwide No Kings protest sets records
THURSDAY 4.9.26|| MARLINCHRONICLE.VWU.EDU
VIRGINIA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Of the three major protests organized by the No Kings Coalition, the Washington Post reported the most recent peaked with an estimated attendance of 8 million across 3,300 national locations.
BY MIA DIEHL
mjdiehl@vwu.edu
Liam Castellano|Marlin Chronicle Protester Jessica Brooke Pinsky faces arrest in Town Center Virginia Beach for disorderly conduct after kicking a truck that circled the area displaying pro-Trump messaging.
For the third national No Kings protest, 3,800 people gathered at Virginia Beach Town Center on March 28 for the largest singleday protest in United States history. “I think what the organizers are trying to do is get people in the habit of protesting and organizing and paying attention,” Dr. Leslie Caughell, chair and associate professor of political science, said. The first protest, on June 14, 2025, the day of the US Army’s
250th Anniversary Parade and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, gathered over 5 million people. The second, on Oct. 28, 2025, saw over 7 million. Attendees protested the presence of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Trump administration and the war in Iran. During the Virginia Beach protest, a black truck hauling a boat with the inscription “Trump Train” and a crown on top circled the area.
See NO KINGS Page 2
Impacted students speak up after ODU shooting BY AIDEN CROGHAN accroghan@vwu.edu
The Hampton Roads community mourns the loss of Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, chair and professor of military science and alumnus ‘07 of Old Dominion University (ODU) ODU, who was killed during a recent shooting on ODU’s campus. On March 12, a shooter opened fire in Constant Hall on the ODU campus, killing Shah and injuring two others before being subdued by a group of ROTC students and killed by another student, who stabbed the shooter.
Shah was awarded a Bronze Star for his military service, as well as posthumous awards of a Purple Heart and the Legion of Merit. Authorities are investigating the incident as an act of terrorism due to the shooter, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh’s ties to the Islamic State group, previously known as ISIS or ISIL. FBI confidential informants received confirmation of Jalloh’s connections to the Islamic State group in 2016, and he later pleaded guilty to attempting to provide material support to the Islamic State group. VWU’s ROTC program is partnered with ODU,
requiring VWU students to participate in ROTC classes at ODU. For members of the VWU community, the tragedy was close emotionally, and for some, physically. VWU senior and ROTC member, Hannah Gautreaux, shared her experience of the event with the Chronicle. “I was in the back of the classroom when the shooter walked into the room. Once he pulled out the gun, I dropped to the floor along with many of my classmates and remembered thinking, ‘I am going to die,’” Gautreaux said.
See ODU Page 3
Aiden Croghan|Marlin Chronicle Atop ODU’s Monarch Fountain on campus, the lion represents ODU pride.
From overlooked I n s i d e L o o k : to All-American Community members BY COY CAMISCIOLI clcamiscioli@vwu.edu
In his final season, Men’s Basketball senior Omari DeVeaux racked up impressive awards, including being named a First Team All-American and ODAC Player of the Year. DeVeaux has cemented himself as one of the best basketball players in VWU program history. “He will go down as one of my all-time favorites,” said Men’s Basketball Head Coach Dave Macedo, who will enter his 27th season at VWU in the fall. An injury that sidelined DeVeaux for nearly a year distinguishes his career. He rehabbed a torn ACL, MCL, lateral meniscus and quadriceps tendon less than two years ago. “I thought I was going to be a shell of myself after the injury. I knew I could get back to helping the team win, but not like this,” DeVeaux said. Emilie Dajc|Marlin Chronicle
See DEVEAUX Page 8
report on-campus recycling challenges
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Star duo leads the way for Women’s LAX Morgenthaler, Duplechin drive Marlins forward. Emilie Dajc|Marlin Chronicle
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