Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Volume 156 No. 17 WWW.SJSUNEWS.COM/SPARTAN_DAILY
SERVING SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1934
Activists unite against brutality By Madilynne Medina STAFF WRITER
Several Bay Area advocacy groups organized a demonstration Monday to stand in solidarity against police brutality as the jury selection of Derek Chauvin, the fired Minneapolis police officer charged with killing George Floyd in May, began Monday afternoon. About 50 demonstrators stood in front of San Jose City Hall at 4 p.m. after the jury selection was paused and pushed back at least one day, according to a Monday CBS article. Kiana Simmons, a member of Human Empowerment and Radical Optimism (H.E.R.O.) Tent, said the proceedings were delayed because the U.S. government is scared of the people’s power. “They are scared of the wrath of millions of people who demand justice, as they should be,” Simmons said during the demonstration. Chauvin was recorded kneeling on the neck of Floyd, who was unarmed, for more than eight minutes and is being charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The other three officers involved in Floyd’s death will be tried together in August, according to the same CBS article. “[Chauvin’s] trial is not just symbolic of the people of Minnesota but for the people across the United States that suffered injustices from the police,” said Bash, who prefers to be identified by his first name and is a member of Anakbayan Silicon Valley, a local grassroots organization. Adrian Bonifacio, a community advocate representative from Anakbayan Silicon Valley, said the demonstration stemmed from a nationwide call by The National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR). NAARPR is a political organization founded in 1973 that aims to pursue action against unjust treatment based on race and politics, according to its website. “We’re doing this in solidarity with Minneapolis,” Bonifacio said during the demonstration. “They had a huge mobilization today outside of their courthouse.”
BLUE NGUYEN | SPARTAN DAILY
San Jose residents Sabrina (right) and Maricon (left), who prefer to be identified by their first names, hold a banner at City Hall Monday.
(LEAD) Filipino; Black Liberation and Collective Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K. Outreach) and Students for Justice in Palestine at San Jose State. Several members from the organizations spoke during the demonstration and highlighted racial capitalism, police brutality and racism as some of the biggest issues in need of reform. Bash spoke with frustration about the continued acts of police brutality in the U.S. Bash “Imperialism is at its highest stage Anakbayan Silicon Valley member and racism is its conjoined twin,” Bash said. Several grassroots advocacy Daniel Lazo, a member of LEAD organizations attended the Filipino, discussed the death of demonstration: The Silicon Valley chapter Angelo Quinto, an Antioch man who of the National Association for the died in December after a police officer Advancement of Colored People; Leaders pressed his knee on Quinto’s neck, for Education, Advocacy and Democracy according to a Feb. 17 KTVU article.
[Chauvin’s] trial is not just symbolic of the people of Minnesota but for the people across the United States that suffered injustices from the police.
“I saw myself in [Quinto],” Lazo said. “The same feelings I had with George Floyd and countless other Black lives.” He said issues among minority communities and issues of police brutality are largely interconnected. “A knee to the neck,” Lazo said about Quinto’s death. “I hate that this is all too familiar.” Amer Vilogorac, club member of Students for Justice in Palestine at SJSU, said he hopes young college advocates keep community support prolific. “The best advice I can give is collaborating with other clubs and making strong allies, especially when it comes to racial prejudice,” Vilogorac said.
Follow Madilynne on Twitter @madilynneee
Gregory Johnson Jr.’s life celebrated By Ruth Noemi Aguilar SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Three local organizations came together Sunday with supporters to honor and celebrate the birthday of the late Gregory Johnson Jr. During the event, called “A Celebration of Life: Justice for Gregory Johnson,” San Jose community members celebrated
what would’ve been Johnson’s 33rd birthday by marching from city hall to Backesto Park for a barbecue. The event was organized by social activist groups Black Liberation and Collective Knowledge (B.L.A.C.K.) Outreach, Human Empowerment Radical Optimism (H.E.R.O.) Tent and Justice for Gregory Johnson Jr. “We want to do something that was a lot more lively and fun for the community to celebrate his life and
real birthday celebration and that’s something we wanted to establish as an annual thing,” said Lou Dimes, president of B.L.A.C.K. Outreach. Johnson was a 20-year-old SJSU student when he was found dead in the Sigma Chi fraternity house basement on Nov. 22, 2008. The University Police Department and Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner’s Office ruled the case a suicide.
Johnson’s parents called his death a hate crime and a murder and have been advocating for a reexamination of the case. “We will be taking space later, but we intend to do it peacefully and we intend to do it in a way that honors Gregory Johnson Jr,” said an independent volunteer medic who goes by the alias Flower for safety purposes. “We wear yellow because that was his favorite color and his favorite flower was sunflowers so we’re all here to honor him in some way.”
It’s a celebration of a life that was taken too soon because at the end of the day he was a happy person and he was more than a victim. Cristopher Acosta
political science senior
YAMI SUN | SPARTAN DAILY
Community members celebrate the birthday of the late Gregory Johnson Jr. at Backesto Park Sunday.
Passing drivers honked in support of the march and some rolled down their windows to stick fists out in solidarity. “I was happy to be a part of [the march] and to help out Mrs. Johnson with whatever she needs,” said Leland Pama, a communications senior. The group made their way to Backesto Park where members of H.E.R.O. Tent provided food, snacks and groceries for participants. “[This event is] just another way for the community and people that support it just to see the story in a different light and get to meet Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,” Pama said. Magazines, markers and other art supplies were also provided by H.E.R.O. Tent to add an additional aspect to the event and allow participants to express themselves. Leftovers from the barbecue were given to unhoused people around the San Jose area. “It’s a celebration of a life that was taken too soon because at the end of the day he was a happy person and he was more than a victim,” said Cristopher Acosta, political science senior.
During the first portion of the day, participants marched through the streets holding signs and chanting for Black pride and justice for Johnson.
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021
Marvel show mixes different eras WandaVision extends franchise storyline through new Disney+ addition. By Christopher Padilla SENIOR STAFF WRITER
WandaVision is a lot of things: a love letter to classic TV, the beginning of a new chapter, catching up with old friends and much more. The series made ripples across the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Kevin Feige’s opening salvo into Phase 4 of the MCU is, if nothing else, interesting. WandaVision follows Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) and The Vision (Paul Bettany) through their idyllic new life in the fictional town of Westfield, New Jersey and the hijinx they get into while hiding their superhero identities. At least, this is what’s initially presented. Underneath the veneer of classic TV, there are cracks in the format. Sporadically colored objects in an otherwise entirely black and white production, as well as characters acting strangely, hint something is wrong. A few episodes in, the viewer is taken out of TV Land to discover an anomaly has overtaken Westfield, imprisoning everyone in the town and forcing them to act out classic TV. Most episodes of WandaVision are stylized to mimic different sitcoms. Ranging from golden oldies including “The Dick Van
ILLUSTRATION BY BIANCA RADER
Dyke Show,” “Bewitched” and “The Brady Bunch” to modern classics such as “Full House,” “Family Ties” and “Malcolm in the Middle,” to contemporary shows like “Modern Family” and “The Office.” These episodes are loving homages to the source material with each having an era-appropriate theme song and faux-cast credits. From set design to the mannerisms and speech patterns of characters and even using black bars that subtly slide in at the top or sides of the screen to recreate aspect ratios. The attention to detail is a marvel to behold in the sitcom style in parts of the show. When there’s a break in the altered reality of Westfield, it is deliberately presented as a hint
to what’s really happening. Bettany and Olsen showcase genuine
chemistry,
showing
TV show review “WandaVision” Rating:
Directed by: Matt Shakman Starring: Elizabeth Olsen Paul Bettany Genre: Sitcom
CLASSIFIEDS CROSSWORD PUZZLE
no matter what time period or whatever shenanigans they get into, Wanda and Vision are meant to be together. Kathryn Hahn, who plays Agnes the eternally nosy neighbor, deserves a special mention because she provides comic relief in nearly every episode. Halfway through the series, the episodes split their time between the sitcom drama in TV Land and the investigation into the anomaly right outside of it. The action outside focuses on SWORD agent Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), FBI agent Jimmy Woo (Randall Park) and astrophysicist Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings) who are all familiar characters to MCU fans. Park and Dennings both
SUDOKU PUZZLE Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 box contains every digit from 1 to 9 inclusively.
reprised their roles from the “Ant-Man” and “Thor” movies respectively, while Parris plays an adult version of Maria Rambeau’s daughter from “Captain Marvel.” The trio makes what’s happening outside of the anomaly as interesting as what’s going on inside of it and are a joy to watch as they unravel its mysteries. Their personalities work well together as Agent Woo brings an awkward charm, Dr. Lewis a sardonic wit and Agent Rambeau a focused determination that makes caring about in them easier. Each episode of WandaVision is exciting, not just because of the nostalgic attention to detail or great character work but because it does a good job of setting up mysteries. It does this so well that even when a mystery is solved further questions are raised, a pattern that persists to the final episode. The show also fills in missing details in previous MCU works, including one stand-out scene in episode eight that should’ve been in “Avengers: Civil War.” WandaVision is an excellent show and worthy of the big screen, but it tells a story that can only be paced as a serial work. While it’s necessary to watch for anyone who wants to keep up with the MCU lore, the show is more than worthy of watching based on its own merits. Follow the Spartan Daily on Twitter @spartandaily
JOKIN’ AROUND Why didn’t the orange win the race?
It ran out of juice.
SOLUTIONS SOLUTIONS
ACROSS 1. Light bulb unit 5. Aquatic plant 9. Burst of wind 13. ___ vera 14. Exotic jelly flavor 16. Chocolate cookie 17. Roman deity 18. Incited 19. Applications 20. Brusque 22. Silkscreen 24. Marcel Marceau was one 26. Water vapor 27. Adjust 30. Surpassingly good 33. Hypersensitive 35. Cubic meter 37. A law enforcement agency 38. A jet of vapor 41. Muck 42. 1000 kilograms 45. Conceding 48. Small carnivorous mammal 51. Kit for a baby 52. Concerns 54. Lease
55. Hereinafter 59. Hiding place 62. False god 63. Everglades bird 65. Within 66. Mobile phone 67. Cut 68. Stigma 69. Leg joint 70. Depend 71. Small slender gull DOWN 1. Drift 2. Wings 3. Transparent gem 4. Ductile 5. Era 6. Totes 7. Measuring instruments 8. Turns away 9. Epicurean 10. Constellation bear 11. Dribble 12. Nonsense (British) 15. French farewell 21. Arab chieftain 23. Openings
25. Hens make them 27. Flat float 28. Arm joint 29. Bite 31. A payment of money 32. Main impact 34. Weep 36. Border 39. Be unwell 40. 365 days 43. Aircraft engine enclosure 44. Brother of Jacob 46. Caustics 47. Tooth doctor 49. Sea eagles 50. Account book 53. Wait on 55. Bumpkin 56. Biblical garden 57. Part in a play 58. Bobbin 60. Sun 61. Trumpet 64. Attempt
3/4/2021
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SPORTS
TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021
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PHOTO COURTESY OF SJSU ATHLETICS
San Jose State freshman forward Evan House scored the Spartans’ only goal on Saturday against Fresno State and her first goal in a collegiate game after transferring.
Spartans drop opener against Bulldogs By Ruth Noemi Aguilar SENIOR STAFF WRITER
The San Jose State women’s soccer team is off to an unfavorable start after its first match on Saturday ended in a 3-1 defeat against Fresno State. Saturday’s loss was the Spartans’ (0-1-0 MWC) first match since Nov. 5, 2019 after the 2020 season was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s amazing to be able to play soccer again,” head coach Lauren Hanson said in a video posted to the SJSU women’s soccer Twitter account. “We’re just appreciative of that opportunity right now, learned a lot in this game. It wasn’t a pretty game for both teams to be honest.” The game occurred at the
Spartan Soccer Complex and took place despite rainy weather concerns. The tone of the match was set after two Fresno State corner kicks allowed the team to score the first goal of the night after only 12 minutes. Fresno State forward Ele Avery made the goal with help from defender Shantay Tamez following an attempt at the goal from a free kick on a foul against SJSU. The foul was called after Fresno State midfielder Bailee Kern fell during a run in with SJSU midfielder Jordan Rowell. Another foul was called on the Spartans after a tumble involving SJSU midfielder and redshirt sophomore Joanna Fernandez, but
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ABOUT The Spartan Daily serves as San Jose State’s top news source and was named the best student newspaper in the state. New issues are published Tuesday through Thursday during the academic year with the website updated daily. The Spartan Daily is written and published by San Jose State students as an expression of their First Amendment rights. Reader feedback may be submitted as letters to the editor or online comments.
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This was a wonderful opportunity to get back out on the field, to learn and grow and regroup and get back after it tomorrow. Lauren Hanson head coach
the Bulldogs were unable to score the goal on their free kick. Forward Evan House quickly scored the S p a r t a n s’ only goal of the night thirty minutes into the match with the help of an assist by defender Karlee Pottorff. This was House’s first game and goal, both as a Spartan and DONOVAN FRANCIS ENSIYAH SYED ISABELLA VICTORIA HAGGERTY JOHAN ROMANI-CACERES JOSHUA TORRES JUAN TAPIA ZAVALA KENNETH TRIEU LINH LAM LINH THIEU MOISES CARATACHEA SAM LEE SEAN MARTIN SEVERIANO MENDEZ YULIAN FRANKIV
as a college athlete after transferring from California State University, Long Beach where she didn’t play because of COVID-19 restrictions. The game wasn’t tied for long as the Bulldogs made their second goal of the night less than 30 seconds after House’s goal. Fresno State forward Emma Chivers was assisted by forward Kassandra
Ceja and defender Robyn McCarthy. Only seven minutes after Fresno State made its third goal, forward Jordan Brown scored with help from defenders Tamez and Kern. Pottorff attempted another shot, but it was saved by Bulldog goalkeeper Valentina Vivas. The first period of the game ended shortly after and the score stayed the same the remainder of the match. The second period was a struggle for the Spartans. SJSU tried to even the score with 6 shots on goal and 3 saves. No more goals were scored by either team for the entire half. The only yellow card of the night was called on Chivers toward the end
of the second half, which allowed Pottorff a free kick that unfortunately missed. “This was a wonderful opportunity to get back out on the field, to learn and grow and regroup and get back after it tomorrow,” Hanson said in the video. The Spartans are scheduled to play San Diego State Friday at the Spartan Soccer Complex.
UPCOMING GAME SDSU vs. SJSU March 12 @ 7 p.m.
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TUESDAY, MARCH 9, 2021
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