Column: National lie-in protest honors the memories of fallen Hokies
Wednesday, April 9, 2008; 12:00 AM
There is no "right" way to remember the Virginia Tech tragedy.

Our own personal inclinations will lead us to spend this day of remembrance in the manner we find best, and if your decision that day is to go to the events the university has planned, that is absolutely wonderful. But this is not the only way to remember the victims — because just remembering the names and faces of the fallen is not enough. Those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it; if we blot out the terrible events of what happened that day, and why it happened — because a mentally ill person brought a gun to school — we serve only to allow this to happen again.

The leader of the protest that is being held on the Drillfield after the official ceremonies is Alison St. Onge, the best friend of my German classmate, Nicole White. I am in awe of Alison's strength and bravery in leading this protest, on a day she might have chosen to spend in quiet mourning with her best friend's family. Instead, she is willing to make that sacrifice and stand up for what she believes must be done, paying her respects in the best way she knows how. She is truly doing what her best friend would have wanted.

In hopes to prevent further harassment from those who oppose protesteasyguns.org, I am writing this letter as a response to the letter, "Protest Easy Guns Not Welcomed On Our Campus," (CT, March 28) on behalf of Alison. I was shocked at how grossly misinformed it is, and I do not want CT readers to be misled by its obvious lack of knowledge of the protest itself and what protesteasyguns.org is really all about.

How can it be deemed anything but appropriate to protest at the site where this tragedy occurred, especially when so many people in the Blacksburg community are recognizing the need for a change to occur now, so that no other community finds itself shocked to its core by gun violence? Many family members of my lost classmates have thanked me for speaking out for tighter gun control and are glad to see that I will be co-leading the National Lie-In Protest in Washington, D.C. Some of these same family members have led the protest in the past, and some will attend the National Lie-In Protest on this anniversary. How can anyone possibly say that their voices should not be heard?

Working for change in our gun laws so that another Cho will not have access to guns, working to prevent another Tech or NIU tragedy from happening, is a markedly different approach to spending this day of remembrance, but I can think of no greater honor to those who have been lost than to work towards change to save lives in their names. With each passing day without tighter gun control laws, there remains the very real threat that another family will have to suffer the pain of gun violence that we have known.

We the survivors, the families, and the friends of the victims would never wish that pain and suffering on even our worst of enemies. We have felt that pain deeper than anyone, and this is why we are standing up together to support tighter gun control and speaking out at the National Lie-In Protests.

There seems to be a great misunderstanding on the part of the author of the article, "Protest Easy Guns Not Welcomed On Our Campus." The author seems to think that protesteasyguns.org simply wish to push an agenda and use the tragedy at Tech to further its cause. This is absolutely false.

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Posted by: Anonymous at 4/17/08 The previous comment sounds like a veiled threat. Ally's protest was joined and supported by victims and family members of 4/16/07. If Ally is "going to have a lot of negative feelings toward her" then she'll be joined by the Samahas, the Reads, the Haases, Habtu, etc., etc. Be careful: your negative feelings may boomerang right back to you. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Anonymous at 4/16/08 Alison St.Onge, your name is posted everywhere for holding this event. You are going to have a lot negative feelings towards you at this campus for such a political event you claim is in honor of your friend. The university does an excellent job on their own to honor the victims...no one needs to take matters in their own hands and claim its to honor someone when its all about politics Flag Abuse
Posted by: Lyndsay at 4/14/08 I would just like to say that being a victim or a family member or friend does not give someone more of a right to speak to politicians or hold protests or speak to President Steger than anyone else. In that regards, all of the Hokies that were here Apr 16th one year ago are all friends or families of the victims. We all have equal rights to speak out for or against what we believe in in terms of gun control or gun rights. SCCC does have members that were friends or family of victims, we just don't parade them around like some other organizations do. That's called exploitation. My biggest complaint is that the protest will be on Apr 16th. I could care less if it was any other day. And no one from "the other side" has answered the question: What if a gun rights organization wanted to protest that day? Would you still be all for "people are allowed to mourn/heal the way they wish?" Flag Abuse
Posted by: Amanda at 4/14/08 It seems to me that by holding the protest directly after the official ceremony and in the same location, that you're not really giving people the choice of whether they "attend" your protest. Protesting at that time/place is vulgar, disrespectful, and in extremely bad taste. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Engrish at 4/11/08 No one is saying victim advocates should not have a seat at the table but you seem to be suggesting only those who want more gun control are valid. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Paul at 4/11/08 What?! victims advocates have a seat at the table? Get out of town! (into the world of political special interests) Flag Abuse
Posted by: Truth at 4/11/08 Exactly right Kenneth Miller. When I first saw articles on CT talking about settlement with families and their increased access to our elected officials I couldn't believe it. This is not for the common good my friends. And the ideas that these families will be putting in the ears of these brilliant officials "like keep public university gun bans in place" and so on, will not serve the innocent citizens of this Commonwealth either. Instead of addressing an important issue like how to stop a Cho once he has a gun and is on campus shooting up a classroom (which will no doubt result in a lot of carnage taking police response time into consideration), these folks want to talk about installing information disseminating led screens and locking classroom doors. BTW, a few rounds from a modern handgun will open just about any door on campus. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Truth.....continued at 4/11/08 And Kyle, the point you made about the antigun folks trying to have others believe that we are against the victims in anyway is exactly correct. Honestly though, I feel the same way about them. Anyone who would disarm innocents (especially those who have jumped through hoops for a concealed carry permit) without cause, knowing the possibility for high fatalities are partially responsible for these high death tolls that occur during gun free zone spree killings. As these people/this "movement"/this country continues to roll itself up the false security blankets they so easily create in their minds, the killings become worse and worse, further demoralizing these people who then want even further regulation to try to stop something they will never control. Some people either weren't born with it or they have been talked out of their will to defend themselves with adequate tools and create realistic opportunities for survival. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Kenneth Miller at 4/10/08 I'm going to say something that's going to piss off the gun-control crowd and the sensitivity mongers here. No, the families of the victims do NOT deserve more of a voice than the SCCC, as Paul suggests. We, the students - whether we be SCCC, LGBTA, AASU, or just a random Sophomore - are the ones who either live, or die by the decisions that are forced on us by the faculty. We are the ones who will be directly affected by the issue. We, the students, faculty, and staff, should have the most say. To elevate the families of the fallen above those directly affected by any change in policy is to attempt to profit, politically, from the deaths of the thirty-two. Seems a bit ghoulish to me. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Paul at 4/10/08 I'll let Ms. Habtu statement speak for itself, but I doubt they feel that way. A public debate (as in an auditorium) would be nice to clear the air... Flag Abuse
Posted by: Will Bulloss at 4/10/08 This is not a SCCC vs. PEG issue. Of all the people who have demonstrated disgust at the idea of a protest on the 16th, how many of them are affiliated with the SCCC? How many of them have said "I want to demonstrate for the right to carry firearms"?The idea of a PEG protest bothers the entire student body, not just SCCC. It's not a gun rights issue, it's an issue of displaying character and taste. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Kyle Minor at 4/10/08 But Paul, that doesn't give them the right to have more of a platform than SCCC. The thing that troubles me about the planned lie-in for next Wednesday is not the message being sent - even though I vehemently disagree with it - but with the tacit contention by the organizers that 'people who oppose the lie-ins clearly hate the victims and desire more gun violence.' It's a false-choice fallacy, and one that isn't getting nearly enough press. If the organizers of the protests weren't so eager to prevent dialog from taking place on the issue, it wouldn't be such a big deal - as it is, the 'you're with us or your against us' claim is bogus. Everyone is interested in improved safety - there are just different opinions on how to reach that goal. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Paul at 4/10/08 It doesn't give them "a corner on the truth" but if they supported SCCC we'd sure hear about it Flag Abuse
Posted by: Yuri Orlov at 4/10/08 I find it humorous that the very organizations holding these "lie-ins" don't see the irony in it. Then again it is "truth in advertising" so to speak. Seems to me if Ms. Habtu were really wanting to keep what happened to her from happening to someone else, she'd be protesting VT's inane gun policies, rather than seeking to deprive others of the means to protect themselves. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Engrish at 4/10/08 So? That doesn't give them a corner on the truth or make their position any more valid than people with opposing viewpoints. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Paul at 4/10/08 I would argue that a majority of the victim's families support the activities of both PEG and the Brady Campaign. I haven't heard any of them saying otherwise and their voices would carry a lot more weight than some of the SCCC advocates. Flag Abuse
Posted by: respect and remember at 4/10/08 there are 32 stones that represent 32 lives that were lost. We are going to gather around there, honoring and pay our respects to them. These 32 stones will represent the actual 32 lives that were lost. many of us don't need to be reminded of what 32 looks like, we know, we saw and we still see this everyday. this campus is not a place you need to convince of your political agendas, people have their minds made up at this point and we were all affected in different ways. please just let this day be respected and be a place for us to come together rather than be torn apart by these different political ideas. Flag Abuse
Posted by: gadi1999 at 4/10/08 The author says there is "no right way" to honor the memories of our fallen Hokies. Well, the proposed PEG "lie-in" is certainly the wrong way. Cho killed one of my students. Cho killed one of my colleagues. Cho scoped out my classroom a week prior to 4/16 PEG's plan is callous in nature; it won't bring my fallen Hokies back and it won't promote any healing of my memory. Flag Abuse
Posted by: James K at 4/10/08 Currently, the lie-in crowd are NOT allowed to demonstrate in front of the memorial stones at noon on April 16, as they intended. They may be able to do it elsewhere, but the drillfield is off-limits. The problem with these demonstrations is that they are by definition POLITICAL PROTESTS. The SCCC and the VCDL both campaign to allow concealed carry on campus for the purpose of self-protection, but I don't want to see either group holding demonstrations on that day either. To me, holding a protest about gun control or gun rights issues on a day of remembrance is as appropriate as me peddling flower shop coupons at a funeral. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Wow. at 4/09/08 Why the 16th? What is the purpose? Why not this weekend? Why the 16th - the one year anniversary? So people can see how real it is? So people can be brought to that horrific day? Explain to me one good reason why that is appropriate, okay, or by any means acceptable? We are all victims. We are one. Let Us HEAL. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Sean at 4/09/08 To Disgusted, I am a recent graduate of VT, but just starting reading the CT online recently. Since I am no longer on campus (that's the only way to determine whether someone is affiliated with VT through the use of their computer), is it okay to censor students that live off-campus? Most of the comments I've read haven't attacked Elilita, just disagreeing with her views. How is that hate? Flag Abuse
Posted by: Kyle Minor at 4/09/08 I can't help but notice that Ms. Habutu is routinely commended for her courage in 'stepping forward' in support of her views, given the tragic and horrific experience she endured last Spring. And yet, whenever a member of SCCC steps forward to advocate his stance, he is immediately shouted down as a fear-monger, or immoral, or worse. Supports of gun control have valid points to make, and so do opponents of gun control - but to claim that one set of points is somehow 'more valid' than the other simply because of the emotional trauma endured by a single proponent is intellectually dishonest. You can't have it both ways - either it's commendable to come forward on EITHER side of the discussion, or its equally un-commendable. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Thanks at 4/09/08 Thank you Elilta. I know it can't be easy stepping forward on this issue in the wake of what you've been through. Don't let this abuse get you down. I'm sure that the people in your life are incredibly proud of you. You do honor to those lost that day with your determination to prevent future tragedies. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Hokie '07 at 4/09/08 To Disgusted: Yes, some comments are lacking in taste, but by and far they're okay. They're just disagreeing. Is that not allowed? Not everyone is going to agree on gun control... just because not all of us want to protest with easy guns next week doesn't mean we aren't part of the Hokie Nation. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Hokie at 4/09/08 To Disgusted: While the students may understand where she's coming from, obviously they don't agree with her viewpoints. If you read the article "Administration, SGA, advocates tangle over lie-in" you'll see that the student body has spoken: we don't want ANY protests on our campus on April 16th. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Will at 4/09/08 I say protest easy cars, trucks, alcohol, texting while driving, drugs, baseball bats, piano wire, machetes, McDonalds, Butter, Cream, Sugar, anything that kills thousands of people per year. Why do we always focus on guns? Those who focus on guns have clearly never operated one. I can't remember the last time I left a gun on a table and it got pissed of and went out to harm someone. Actually I can't remember the last time I got pissed off and went out and harmed someone with a gun. Maybe that is because I have never made the choice to do that. Senator Kennedy drove his car off a bridge killing the woman that was riding with him. So as it stands, Senator Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than any of my guns. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Disgusted at 4/09/08 I can only hope that those of you posting hateful, vicious responses and personally attacking Elilta are NOT part of the VT community. I suspect you aren't, because I think people who were here understand where she's coming from. I wonder if the CT's ever considered blocking comments from non-VT computers? Flag Abuse
Posted by: Will at 4/09/08 A good friend of mine was hit by a car on campus several weeks ago and killed. Will anyone stage a lie in at the local used car store? In Africa those that cannot afford guns usually use the machete as a weapon of choice to maim people with opposing viewpoints. Will anyone stage a lie in at a major machete manufacturer? Cigarettes kill millions, we are told they kill, we know they kill. Do we ban cigarettes? A girl over the summer was drunk, driving and texting, she hit several people and injured them. Do we protest to have cell phones turn off when they sense motion? Butter, cream and sugar all make things delicious, just ask Paula Dean, but do we limit her from using these products on her show that many people watch and copy? They could cause heart disease. McDonalds, enough said. Lets talk facts. Criminals will always have easy access to guns or any other weapon. Why? They don't obey the laws that the rest of us do Flag Abuse
Posted by: Will at 4/09/08 Was Cho breaking a rule when he came on campus with a gun? Yes did he care? No, he was a criminal. Did he exploit the so-called gun show loophole to buy his guns? No, he bought them after a background check and for the second gun a 30 day waiting period. How did he pass a background check with his mental health issues? The state of Virginia didn't pony up the money in the budget to link the mental health database with the background check database. It is the scum of society that use weapons for intimidation and harm. Violence will happen, by banning an instrument that can be used defensively and offensively you only hurt those who mean to defend themselves. Protesting easy guns is like sticking your finger in a leaking dam. You aren't solving the problem, merely covering up a symptom. Let raise better kids. Lets stop blaming objects but take time to look at the user. Punish criminals. Refuse to be a victim, if that means carrying pepper spray, a taser, or a Ruger P-95. There is only one person in charge of your well being and safety. You! Flag Abuse
Posted by: Carlos at 4/09/08 Wow, thanks Ms. Habtu for adding such a reasonable voice to this debate. It's amazing to me that people don't get what you and your allies are trying to do! And that is simply to keep guns out of the hands of people who shouldn't have them. I wish you all the success in the world, and thank you for looking out for the rest of us! Flag Abuse
Posted by: Anonymous at 4/09/08 David, first of all I am sorry to hear about your daughter. However, based on your assumption, we should also make the purchase of automobiles more difficult. After all, they cause just as many, if not more deaths each year than firearms. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Kyle Minor at 4/09/08 Mr. White - I certainly extend my condolences to you and your family, but I'm afraid that your contention about the 'gun show loophole' is a bit misinformed. Really, what the 'gun show loophole' was provided an exception to exhibitors at gun shows whose wares were not predominantly guns. This is to say, if I set up my widget booth at a gun show, since I'm not a lisenced gun dealer, if I happen to sell my private gun to another person who approaches me, I don't need to do a background check (this is an oversimplification on some levels, but it does make the idea easier to understand). This is no different than if you were to walk up to my house and pay me in cash for my gun - I am under no legal obligation to run a background check on you if I'm a private citizen making a private transaction. Closing the loophole will effectively force these sales out into the open (where they take place anyway, when gun shows aren't going on) and won't actually crack down on any gun violence at all. Flag Abuse
Posted by: David White at 4/09/08 Dear Elilita Thank you for your comments, If nothing else you have people thinking and wondering how safe their campus really is. Which is a good thing because when both sides begin to debate it will raise awareness. And maybe the death of my darling Nicole will bring about positive change. Their is something wrong with gun law purchase if it is harder for me to adopt a dog or cat at a shelter than it is for me to walk into a gun show sign a sheet of paper that I'm not a convicted felon hand over cash and walk out with a hand gun. signed a dad missing his daughter Flag Abuse
Posted by: Martina Leinz at 4/09/08 Ms. Habitu is a very brave young women who should be commended for her strength and leadership. Those of you who are writing in with disparaging comments should all be ashamed of yourselves. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Sean at 4/09/08 One more thing, anonymous at 2:31, you say gun control will prevent tragedies like this. Tell that to the thousands of people that are killed each year by thieves, murderers, and rapists that had no means of protecting themselves. What do you do in a situation when you're at a gas station, and two guys start walking towards you? If unarmed, you can't do anything, but if armed, you could easily fend them off. You will wisen up as you get older and experience a lot more than what you're seeing in that bubble known as the University system. I just graduated from VT in May 2007. I used to think like a lot of you leftists, but being out in the real world and not stuck on a campus with a bunch of immature, naive, brainless 20-somethings has really opened my eyes to certain aspects of our society. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Sean at 4/09/08 You dumb liberals claim you're so compassionate towards victims of crime (yet you're the softest when it comes to criminal punishments) and that everyone should show respect. I can almost guarantee you that the 32 Hokies (notice I mentioned 32, not 33 like the liberal media was reporting last year because to them, even murderers are victims) that are upstairs would not want this day to turn into a rally cry for gun control. This is possibly the most narcissitic thing anyone can do on April 16, but it's all for a "good cause", so it's okay. Ha. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Anonymous at 4/09/08 First of all, I agree (2:39) what a sick and twisted viewpoint about Elilta having the right to do whatever she wants (2:31). I def. see what you're saying, but it doesn't hold much weight. What about people that have been shot in life, but just not on April 16th? What about people who have lost sisters, brothers, mother, fathers, friends in a shooting. Do they have less of a special 'RIGHT' to express how they feel? And, I am sure out of all the survivors and victims of April 16th they won't ALL be participating in the lie-in. I am not saying she and this group don't have a right to protest guns. They certainly do and are very much entitled to their opinion. However, saying they don't have an agenda by protesting on April 16th is just plain hypocrisy at its best. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Sean at 4/09/08 Elilita, you're just another example of the millions of leftists in this country that don't base their decisions on facts, but emotions. When you start making policies based on emotion, EVERYONE is affected. Look at any liberal policy, and it holds true. If you don't believe me (of course you don't, how can you believe a conservative, aren't they all gun-toting, uneducated rednecks?), do some research into gun control, and look at how gun crime has INCREASED since these laws were put in place. I'll even head you in the right direction; look at any major city that is run by a Democrat. These cities have the highest crime, worst education, and are in huge debt. I pointed you in the right direction, now it's your turn to come up with good arguments as to why law-abiding citizens should not be allowed to carry guns. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Brandon at 4/09/08 ...and the divisions have already begun. You have 364 days to push your agenda, yet you choose the one that is supposed to be a time for healing. It is also humorous how an organization claiming to be grassroots is working in parallel with the Brady campaign in order to get their agenda in the limelight on April 16th. I hope others will join me in totally ignoring these heartless fools next Wednesday. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Anonymous at 4/09/08 You write this yourself Elilta? Now you're not only using the victims' losses, but playing the "I was hurt" card to get attention. No respect I tell ya... PICK ANOTHER DAY. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Anonymous at 4/09/08 So I need to be shot to EARN the right to say what I feel and express how April 16th affects me? What a sick and twisted view point. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Anonymous at 4/09/08 I think getting shot by Seung-Hui Cho pretty much gives Elilta and any other survivor the right - yes, the right - to do what they darn well please on 4/16. No, not everybody at VT is a victim, at least not in the way that she is, with a bullet still lodged in her jaw. Don't like gun control? Ok. Were you shot last year? If not, then you can't possibly tell her what she can or can't say next week. She happens to think that better gun control will prevent another family from having to endure what 32 others have had to since 4/16/07. I think she's pretty well earned the right to say her peace after getting shot in the face that day. Does that make you feel uncomfortable? Can't help you with that. It's uncomfortable for everybody - especially her and the other survivors. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Al at 4/09/08 Thank you Thweatt, your comment was right on. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Anonymous at 4/09/08 I think we all remember the famous posters "Media please respect our mourning" or "Media Stay Away from our Campus". I think now it is appropriate to say "Lie-ins Stay Away from our Campus and Please Respect our Mourning" Thanks Flag Abuse
Posted by: Anonymous at 4/09/08 What a terrible thing to do on a day which is meant for reflection and to UNITE. Your protest will nothing but divide a community still in mourning. Any organization with an ounce of compassion would choose another day to try and push their agenda. Your actions are absolutely sickening and I'm sure others will agree... Flag Abuse
Posted by: Anonymous at 4/09/08 Thank you John H, my thoughts exactly. Please try to remember the living who are suffering while reflecting on our beloved lost. While I agree partially with what you are trying to accomplish, April 16 is not the day to do it. Another day, any day, but not a day when there will be so many people here trying to honor the dead. Please reconsider protesting that day. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Hokie '07 at 4/09/08 Furthermore, don't you want to remember your friends for the life they lived, what they accomplished in that short time, and what they mean to you? By staging this lie-in you're remembering the way in which the died and not their lives. You should spend the other 364 days protesting. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Patrick M. at 4/09/08 I'm sorry Ms. Habtu, but it is very, very hard to believe that you do not mean to push an agenda when you are clearly backed by the Brady Campaign. Additionally, PEG is a group formed to push an agenda by definition, so saying that you are only out there to remember the victims is dishonest. If a pro-gun rights organization (Not that any are, AFAIK) was to hold a similar protest, claiming they were not pushing an agenda, would PEG and the Brady Campaign be alright with it? Flag Abuse
Posted by: Jay at 4/09/08 Most of the comments to this article seem so vicious, so disrespectful (of someone who was actually shot at Tech), and reflect so poorly on the VT community. It's kind of stomach-turning. They remind me of the line from the McCarthy hearings back in the '50's: "Have you no sense of decency, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?" Disagree with her, fine, but try not to be such jerks about it. Flag Abuse
Posted by: John H at 4/09/08 The problem is an event like this is seen as disrespectful in the eyes of the Virginia Tech community. You talk about respecting the victims, but what about the ones who are still living? We are all victims, this is our university, and this is our tragedy, though some have suffered more then others. Though you have your right to protest in a way you see fit, not in a way that most of the community doesn't approve of! Flag Abuse
Posted by: John H at 4/09/08 The problem is an event like this is seen as disrespectful in the eyes of the Virginia Tech community. You talk about respecting the victims, but what about the ones who are still living? We are all victims, this is our university, and this is our tragedy, though some have suffered more then others. Though you have your right to protest in a way you see fit, not in a way that most of the community doesn't approve of! Flag Abuse
Posted by: Jason T at 4/09/08 The point of the events on the 16th should be twofold: to remember those lost in our own way, whether privately or publicly or both, and to unite as a community to support each other. The lie-in may accomplish the first goal for some, but it will also destroy the second goal for many. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Hokie '07 at 4/09/08 Elilta, I am glad you survived and wish you a continued healthy recovery. However, I have to agree with most of the other posters. The one year anniversary just ISN'T the day to do it. You are lying to yourself if you think you aren't pushing an agenda. As someone mentioned before, if this is the way you want to remember the victims then why not do the lie-in in your apartment or somewhere else private? April 16th is about remembering those we lost and reflecting on their lives. It's not about pushing an agenda because of how we lost them. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Chris at 4/09/08 My post was to supporter sorry for any confusion. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Chris at 4/09/08 If by a lot you mean the 32 who are doing the lie in ten yes, you're right. Stop pretending like using these victims for political gains is ok. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Sam at 4/09/08 With all due respect, this article is dishonest. You are not holding this protest to honor the dead, and you are not treating those who died with respect. Our memorial is supposed to help the Virginia Tech community heal, please don't hijack it to further your political goals. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Reasoning at 4/09/08 One thing that people have overlooked is that ProtestEasyGuns is not the only group that wishes to protest that day. Some other grossly inappropriate groups wish to attend. If ProtestEasyGuns "wins" their permit, so do these other groups. The student body (SGA) has spoken that they do not want these people here for one 24 hour period, is that to much to ask Ben? Constitutional rights can be denied in certain cases, and here the 1st Amendment would end up severely disturbing the piece of mind of thousands of people and possibly cause violent retaliations. Talk about dividing the campus that showed the world how people can come together after a tragedy. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Kyle Minor at 4/09/08 I'd like to ask supporter why it would be considered brave and courageous to protest guns on April 16, while it would simultaneously be considered despicable and malicious to protest in FAVOR of CCW on campus on April 16. I'm personally opposed to any protests on the day of memorial, but I'm also not going to sit idly by and listen to people suggest that only opponents of guns ought to have a voice, and that any other message is 'insulting to the victims.' You can't have it both ways - April 16 is about all victims of the tragedy, living and dead. I'm a victim in that sense, every bit as much as the deceased - and it isn't ethically sound to simply stifle my voice because I happen to favor a different policy. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Supporter at 4/09/08 Thank you, Elilta. Despite how some of these comments seem, a lot of people on campus are proud of your bravery and support you 100%. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Ben Miner at 4/09/08 I respect other people's right to grieve or deal with loss up until the point where they starting demanding restrictions on Constitutually guarunteed liberties. That crosses the line from mourning into exploitation. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Alex at 4/09/08 How can you say "respect one another's choice as to how to remember the victims" when you are clearly impeding on the rights of others' choices as to how to remember. How you can blatantly lie and say there is no "pushing of an agenda" is laughable, as the rest of your article is a clear cut agenda towards the protesting of easy guns. I agree with the principle of the organization, however to impose your lie-in on a day or mourning is despicable. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Chip at 4/09/08 Odds are negligible. Sorry - my verb and subject were having a disagreement in my original posting. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Chip at 4/09/08 Mr. Wrench, the problem with your comment, sarcasm notwithstanding, is that the places with gun bans but no active enforcement (colleges and grade schools) are where mass murders are carried out. Those with active enforcement (federal buildings, airplanes and some concerts), such as metal detectors and other inspection means, all but guarantee that no one has a firearm except for law enforcement personnel. No law-abiding citizen feels a need to carry a gun in those circumstances because they know that the odds of a lunatic going on a shooting spree is negligible. A "gun-free zone" that relies solely on the good nature of the populace and their adherence to a "pretty please don't carry a gun" policy. Flag Abuse
Posted by: monkeywrench at 4/09/08 Let's not exaggerate, the "irrational gun ban" is the policy with most universities and colleges, grade schools, federal buildings, airplanes, concerts, etc. I don't know why they don't trust us...WE ARE HIGHLY TRAINED! Flag Abuse
Posted by: John at 4/09/08 Ms. Habtu, While I can hardly grasp the pain that befell you, your friends, and your classmates, the action you propose IS political. One of my friends was murdered at NIU. However, a memorial for her or any of the other victims would not be the approprate time to protest current US law (for or against). You obviously have a strong opinion about gun-control, as do I, but politics and memorials should not mix. There are many people on both sides of the gun-control debate. Many of them have been personally affected by the horrific events of 4/16 and others like it. To bring up such a divisive political topic at a memorial is hurtful to one side or the other because it turns their attempt to remember their friends and/or family into a political forum where their loved ones become pawns for debate on legal policy. This kind of debate all too often overshadows the memorial and re-opens emotional wounds rather than helping to heal them. Please reconsider the timing of this protest, for the sake of all those who wish to remember and mourn without their loved ones being used as political ammunition. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Chip at 4/09/08 You say that there is no "right" way to remember the VT tragedy. That may be true, but there sure is a wrong way to do it and you and your lot have managed to find one. As for being "grass roots," well, according to the Roanoke Times, "Peter Hamm, spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Stop Gun Violence, said the group has been working with Tech students on the protest." The article further states that the protest was "planned in conjunction with the gun control group ProtestEasyGuns.com.” The memorials planned for that day are intended to unite everyone and the fact that you have decided selfishly to be divisive is disgusting. The only thing more so is the Brady Campaign’s constant politicizing of tragedy. It’s too bad that ProtestEasyGuns,com is following their lead, but I’m glad the organization isn’t smart enough to realize how counterproductive this stunt is. You have handed SCCC the moral high ground (although I personally think they’ve had it all along). Flag Abuse
Posted by: Wesley at 4/09/08 Elilta Habtu, you may be right in that there is no "right" way to remember our tragedy. However, there are definitely wrong ways to remember our tragedy. One example of the wrong way to remember our tragedy is using the VT massacre to further your own political interests. If you truly want to remember this way and it's not about political gain, then take 31 of your close friends and lay down in your apartment/house/whatever where nobody can see you. But let me guess, you don't want to do that, do you? Flag Abuse
Posted by: Douva at 4/09/08 Why is this "grassroots" social movement utilizing the high-priced wire service and other resources of a multi-million dollar gun control organization? Why does this movement feel that the best way to honor the fallen Hokies is with lies and misinformation? Anyone who doubts that this organization/movement relies on lies and misinformation to support its positions should visit this site: http://www.ProtestEasyGunsLIES.com Flag Abuse
Posted by: Fred at 4/09/08 Hi Elita: Tech was already "gun free", leaving you with the only defense of taking "duck and cover" when Cho came in your classroom. Protest Easy Guns wants to maintain the status quo -- that citizens should be as unarmed and defenseless as possible. How many guns have you owned? How many guns has Abby Spangler ever fired? I would bet those numbers are close to, if not exactly on ZERO. Had CCW been permitted on campus, quite possibly, the stick figure Cho could have been cut down before his reign of terror took so many lives. When seconds count, the police are minutes away. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Truth at 4/09/08 There aren't any solutions being proposed here. How am I to take this? Anyone of us could have been killed that day or any other day for that matter. Elilta, have you wondered if things could have possibly turned out differently on 4/16 if Tech had not had their irrational gun ban in place? I am all for gun control as long as you are talking about known criminals. How do you propose to keep people who pass a background check from "going crazy" 20 years after the gun purchase and killing someone? The fact is that criminals and those that are insane and wish to inflict harm on others before dieing will always have guns. You would rather take whatever steps you feel are necessary (steps you don't discuss) to keep people from getting guns. This goal of course would be impossible to reach. With this new pertinent information would you still support a ban on legal concealed carry on campus? It seems clear to me that since we know you won't ever stop the flow of guns you are sentencing more innocent, free individuals to death at the hands of sociopaths since you don't want individuals to be able to properly defend themselves. Elilta, I wish you continued success on your recovery, but I also hope that in your recovery you will come to realize that the only rational defense against armed criminals and others who would do us harm is to arm yourself appropriately. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Al at 4/08/08 A major purpose of these lie-ins is to provide to the general public an image of what 32 people look like. Most people don't really understand how many people died or how a loss that big would impact us. The insensitivity of politicization on a day that's already going to be hard enough is not appreciated by many. Worse than that for me, though, is the fact that we don't need the image. We know what 32 people look like. We know their names, their majors, and their biographies. Many of us saw them being carried out of the building. Bringing that back to us, showing us more bodies when we're not the ones who need to be educated, is senseless and cold. It serves no purpose but to further upset the community when it's the last thing we need. I don't like guns. I don't want them on this campus. But I don't want you here either. Not then and, after this display of insensitivity, not ever. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Anonymous at 4/08/08 With all due respect for your pain, it is clear that no one on this campus wants to hear/see your shouts and lies while they try to go about a day of remembrance. Other groups have agreed to leave their affiliations behind for the day, yet this anti-gun organization plans to protest whether or not the university allows. Is there any other way to view this besides inane? For those just reading this article, click on opinions and go to the editorial for today. Even the CT editors believe that this is wrong. Flag Abuse
Posted by: Cadet Skunky at 4/08/08 Are you sure you understand the mean of the word “agenda”? You swear up and down that the protest is agenda-free, but then go on to outline the agenda they wish to push: to wit, “They are concerned Americans who are tired of gun violence in America, who want a change in current U.S. gun laws that make it far too easy for dangerous individuals to purchase guns.” By protesting, the group is making known their existence and, consequently, their purpose. I can't speak to how “amazing” these people are, but I can speak to how intellectually dishonest this column is. I can sympathize with the desire to honor the memory of those we've lost, but call a spade a spade and recognize that protests are meant to serve the purpose of the protesters. A protest is not the same as sending your condolences to the grieved. Flag Abuse






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