Prop 8 at Princeton bans freshmen from sidewalks -- preserving "traditional sidewalk values"

[nichomachus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59IK28ry9eQ

CAMPAIGN TO REMOVE FRESHMEN FROM SIDEWALKS IN SECOND SUCCESSFUL WEEK

11/24/08--Princeton, NJ

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 5:00 p.m. on Monday 11/24 and Tuesday 11/25.

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.

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Contact: Christopher Simpson
[email protected]

[gristy]

1. Cool. I imagine that freshmen actually will walk in the street before this is passed.

As a show of support.

[hlthe2b]

2. I was amused at the response of the older faculty member...

(or at least I assume that was what he was)... I sort of thought he would not "get it," but he seemingly did, right away and was quite pleased, it seemed.

[IndyOp]

3. Did you hear the young woman who said she was a freshman and CHOOSES to walk on the grass

to uphold traditional sidewalk values? I think her self-sacrifice is admirable, she will lead the Princeton frosh to do the right thing - walk on the grass, in the street, down in the gutter.

:sarcasm:

[yardwork]

4. It's the freshmen's fault for allowing this proposition to pass. They didn't fight it well enough.

I heard that the freshmen at Princeton had twice the money of the pro-proposition groups, but they chose to save it for other states. The freshmen ran a lousy campaign and now they're paying the price for their ineptitude.

I'm not against rights for freshmen, per se, but I think that this is an important lesson for us to apply to future campaigns. If the freshmen had educated the rest of the university better, this never would have happened.

-- paraphrased from actual posts on DU

[FreeState]

5. Video here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x243676

Its very clever:)

[donco6]

6. Amusing and pointed at the same time.

Leave it to Princeton.