Shawn Fennell of Princeton University
My name is Shawn Fennell, and I am a junior at Princeton University. Along with senior Christopher Simpson, I am organizing an on-campus protest against the passage of Proposition 8 in California. We felt it would be something about which the local press should be given a heads up.
The intent of our protest against this law is to expose via imitation. We intend to simply follow the precedent it sets. Using California Proposition 8 as an example, we are going to actively pursue the passage of Princeton Proposition 8, a student initiative to ban freshmen from using Princeton University’s sidewalks, which most will agree are a service provided by the government / university for the benefit of all.
We have begun this effort with posters advocating this position, featuring various slogans — “Separate but equal,” “Defend our sidewalks,” “It’s a matter of class” — We intend to continue with active rallies from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. We’re going to be pushing for upperclassmen to come together and reaffirm the definition of a sidewalk as a means of pedestrian transit for all ‘09, ‘10, and ‘11ers to enjoy. Freshmen are, of course, encouraged to walk along with us — we’re not froshophobes — they just have to stay on the grass is all. The intended aim is within two weeks to put Princeton Prop. 8 to a comprehensive student vote, and to let the results speak for themselves.
This overall effort stems from a frustration with the lack of political engagement and discussion we have found on our campus, especially to a matter as important as this. Princeton is one of the preeminent institutions for higher education in the country, and we feel our voices should be heard.
Shawn Fennell
Princeton University

