Welcome to this week’s Newsroom roundup! This week we discussed local, national, and global news. We discussed a shooting in Harrisonburg, VA, Tina Kotek running to be the first lesbian governor, and the fight to stop street harassment. We discuss these three topics from a feminist view. Hope you all enjoy it!
LOCAL NEWS
This past weekend a shooting took place outside of a Devon lane apartment where an off-campus gathering was being held. The now-arrested suspect, Tyreaf Isaiah Fleming faces attempted murder, aggravated malicious wounding, and illegal possession of a firearm.
Eight individuals were shot and faced non-life-threatening injuries. Police are continuing to investigate the situation. This is an act of violence that affects the entire JMU/Harrisonburg community.
Crimes like this show us we need to always be aware of our surroundings, always know the people we invite into our living space, and report anything that seems suspicious. As females, it is important to never be out at night alone.
While this occurrence was not targeted directly toward women, women are often taken advantage of when they are alone and vulnerable. The unfortunate reality of our society is that women have to constantly be vigilant and take further safety precautions in everyday life than men do.
National News
Attorney General of Massachusetts, Maura Healey, and former Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek are running to become the United States’ first lesbian governors. Healey is projected to win by a wide margin. She hopes to encourage others that they can achieve whatever they desire regardless of race, gender, identity, and religion.
If she wins she will not only be the first lesbian governor but also the first female. The odds of Kotek winning are less likely but her running for office still shows how far the LGBTQ+ community has come.
If elected, the candidates intend to use their bully pulpits to fight against anti-LGBTQ+ bills in state legislatures and other violence the LGBTQ+ community faces.
Hate crimes against LGBTQ+ community members are still a very serious issue. Healey says she intends to “stand up to threats and intimidation” and she wants the LGBTQ+ to know they are valued and loved and she will work hard to protect their rights.
GLOBAL News
In the UK, Member of Parliament (MP) Stella Creasy is pushing Prime Minister Liz Truss to bring her proposals on street harassment to law. During the election, Liz Truss promised she would crack down on street harassment if elected.
Stella Creasy is hoping the government will push for legislation to give women and girls protection from abuse and hatred before it worsens. Liz Truss advocated in her campaign to stop “aggressive and misogynistic behavior.” Creasy is pushing for the Prime Minister to follow up on her proposals and make it a priority to protect women and girls from street harassment
This is an important issue not talked about as much even though, “NINE million women a year experience street harassment every year with campaigners demanding a new offense to stamp it out.”
Street harassment is overlooked and we need people like Stella Creasy advocating to stop street harassment toward women and girls
Source: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/politics/20129750/mps-demand-street-harassment-offence/
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