VOLUME 9 ISSUE 20 | THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024
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inside College football season is just around the corner, and NSJ is starting to prepare everyone for the fall. NC State is hoping to build off a nine-win season, while Duke is preparing for the start of the Manny Diaz era. Read previews for both teams in Sports
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the
Biden declines to step aside, wants Democrat drama ‘to end’
BRIEF this week
Pro-Palestinian event ends in violence Asheville A seminar held at the West Asheville Library on June 29 titled “Strategic Lessons from the Palestinian Resistance,” part of the Another Carolina Anarchist Bookfair (ACAB), ended in controversy and violence. According to WLOS News 13, two Jewish residents and an 80-yearold Navy veteran attended to monitor the event. Monica Buckley, one of the three, livestreamed the proceedings. Approximately 30 minutes in, their presence was noted, leading to a physical altercation as they were accused of being Zionists. The three reported being assaulted by multiple people. Buckley told WLOS people were “hitting me, punching me, punching my wrists, stomping on my ankles. Somebody choked me with something.” Bob Campbell, the 80-yearold, was allegedly pushed to the floor. The third victim, David Moritz, reported sustaining bruises to his head. Asheville Police responded and is investigating the incident, with one arrest made for resisting officers. Several other attendees were shown as persons of interest in a Facebook post by the department. ACAB organizers, in a statement, characterized the attendees as “fascists” there to “provoke conflict,” alleging a “planned disruption.” Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer condemned the violence, stating that members of the community “deserve the right to enter any community spaces with a feeling of security. We will not tolerate violence, either against or carried out in our community.”
Judge rules protesters can’t march through RNC security zone Madison, Wis. A federal judge ruled Monday that protesters can’t march through a security zone at the Republican National Convention, handing a defeat to liberals who wanted closer access to where delegates will be gathering next week in Milwaukee. The ACLU and the Coalition to March on the RNC 2024 filed a lawsuit last month against the city of Milwaukee, alleging that the city’s plans for protesters violated their free speech rights. U.S. District Judge Brett Ludwig ruled protesters have a right to march in protest, “but the First Amendment does not allow them to protest or parade in any way they choose.”
UNC System schools receive guidance on equality policy The new plan replaces the repealed DEI policies By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — All 17 UNC System Schools have received legal guidance on implementing a new equality policy adopted by the UNC Board of Governors on May 23. The policy replaced the system’s diversity, equity and inclusion policy that was previously in Section 300.8.5 of the UNC Policy Manual. The new guidance emphasizes the need to balance institutional neutrality with academic freedom, student support and the university’s core mission. “The operative language of the Policy, taken together, directs campus administrations to abstain from the political and social fray,” the guidance reads. “This is the driving principle of institutional neutrality — that each institution will be the forum in which others
may fully debate but will not itself be a participant in that debate. By committing to neutrality, the University’s weighty voice avoids chilling speech and allows constructive discourse to thrive. Institutional neutrality is in fact principled neutrality operating in service to academic freedom and the University’s core mission.” The guidance aims to guide chancellors and campuses in implementing the new policy while maintaining a commitment to nondiscrimination, equality of opportunity and student success. Campuses must certify and report compliance by Sept. 1. Key areas outlined in the guidance include a focus on student success while maintaining institutional neutrality on political and social issues, and avoiding endorsing specific ideological content while still supporting diverse student groups. Universities should generally refrain from making public See UNC, page A2
The president sent a two-page letter to party leaders
tion,” Biden said in the letter, distributed by his reelection campaign. “Any weakening of resolve or lack of clarity about the task ahead only helps Trump and hurts us. It’s time By Lisa Mascaro The Associated Press to come together, move forward as a unified party, and WASHINGTON, D.C. — defeat Donald Trump.” President Joe Biden, in a letter He followed up the letter to congressional Democrats, with a phone interview with stood firm against calls for MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” show, him to drop his candidacy and on which he insisted that “avcalled for an “end” erage Democrats” to the intraparwant him to stay in ty drama that has the race and said torn apart Demo- “It’s time to he was “frustrated” crats since his dis- come together, by the calls from mal public debate officials for move forward as party performance. him to step aside. Biden’s efforts a unified party, “They’re big to shore up a deep- and defeat names, but I don’t ly anxious Democare what those cratic Party came Donald Trump.” big names think,” Monday as law- President Biden said. makers are returnHe threw the ing to Washington Joe Biden in a letter gauntlet at his critand confronting to congressional ics, saying if they’re a choice: decide Democrats serious they ought whether to work to “announce for to revive his campresident, challenge paign or edge out the party me at the convention” or rally leader, a make-or-break time behind him against Trump. for his reelection and their Anxiety is running high as own political futures. top-ranking Democratic lawBiden wrote in the two- makers are joining calls for page letter that “the question Biden to step aside despite his of how to move forward has defiance. At the same time, been well-aired for over a week some of the president’s most now. And it’s time for it to staunch supporters are redouend.” He stressed that the par- bling the fight for Biden’s presty has “one job,” which is to de- idency, insisting there’s no one feat presumptive Republican better to beat Trump in what presidential nominee Donald many see as among the most Trump in November. important elections of a life“We have 42 days to the time. Democratic Convention and 119 days to the general elec- See BIDEN, page A8
Cooper vetoes 5 bills, eclipses 100 The two-term governor added to his record total By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Following the end of the legislative short session, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed five more bills, bringing his two-term total to 102. His five predecessors who held veto power issued a combined 35. On July 3, Cooper issued vetoes 98 and 99 on House Bill 155, Titles for Off-Road Veh./ Low Speed Veh. Insp., and House Bill 556, Tenancy in Com./E-Notary/Small Claims Changes. House Bill 155 would make several changes to North Carolina motor vehicle laws, primarily focusing on all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), utility vehicles and low-speed vehicles. “This new law would allow certain off road vehicles to op-
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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed four more bills, bringing his total to 101 over his two terms. erate on four lane highways at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour,” Cooper said in his veto of House Bill 155. “These vehicles lack many of the safety features found in traditional vehicles which creates an increased risk of serious injury or death for people on our highways.” While the bill does expand where modified utility vehicles
can operate, including on some higher-speed roads, it does not allow them on four-lane highways at speeds up to 55 mph as his veto statement suggests. The bill maintains restrictions for four-lane roads. In his veto message of House Bill 556, Cooper said, “This bill would make it harder for low-income families, the elder-
ly and people with disabilities to find affordable rental housing by preventing local governments from protecting against rent discrimination based on lawful income.” The governor also claimed the bill “creates legal ambiguity regarding when eviction orders become effective and the potential for increased legal expenses for renters in disputes with landlords.” Some of the governor’s veto comments are supported by the bill text, such as a provision in Section 7 that would prevent local governments from enacting ordinances forcing property owners to accept federal housing assistance funds for rent. See VETOES, page A8
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