Students sit in to protest elections
Losing candidates demand president call investigation
Matthew Richardson
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: News
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"What we're asking for is a new election and an investigation," said Ardis, 20, a junior health care management student from Tallahasee.
Within the square lobby of the fourth floor, students sat and lay around the room with book bags and laptops, prepared to spend the night in Lee Hall in order to see President James H. Ammons.
Franklin's and Ardis' reason for wanting to see Ammons is the hope that Ammons might bring justice to light dealing with the spring 2008 elections.
Franklin, 20, a junior pharmacy student from Tallahassee, and Ardis were the student body president candidates who were not elected. After that, Franklin and Ardis filed for an appeal and a trial was held March 19 and April 2. After questioning seven witnesses and providing various forms of evidence such as early voting, irregular precinct procedures and alleged forgery of signatures, Supreme Court justices voted in favor of the electoral commissioner.
Ardis stressed that they needed a response from Ammons by Friday.
"It was the justice's decision, but time is a sensitive matter," Ardis said.
Franklin and Ardis said that in the face of evidence that showed fraud, it was an injustice to rule in the Electoral Commission's favor.
"It's time for things to change," Ardis said. "We waited 21 days to receive voting rolls. We realize that we're here for a higher purpose."
Ardis said when entering Lee Hall the protestors ran into Ammons while entering the elevator to go to his office.
Ardis said Ammons was in a rush and had to tend to a meeting. They were not able to speak to him.
"We understand that he is a busy person; that's why we are willing to wait," Ardis said.
Rosalind Fuse-Hall, chief of staff in the office of the president and board of trustees' liaison, addressed the students within the lobby of the fourth floor.
Fuse-Hall said there was nothing the president's administration could do at that time and asked that the students fill out an appointment form and come back today.
Kyle Washington, co-counsel to Franklin and Ardis, filled out the form along with Ardis. But still, the party stayed.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 12
Amir Shabazz
posted 4/16/08 @ 8:18 AM EST
Fredrick Douglass stated that "Without struggle there is no progress".Sometimes the struggle is all we have. The journey to justice is long, hard, and lonely. (Continued…)
chilly
posted 4/16/08 @ 8:57 AM EST
This is the only way that I can express the way I feel regarding this issue:
You are grown young adults. It's time to move on. You DID NOT WIN! So, that's life! Try for something else to excel at. (Continued…)
FAMU Product
posted 4/16/08 @ 9:24 AM EST
The elections are OVER!!! We have our winners. For God's sakes, lets move on. If you want to sit in some place, sit in at College Club Apartments where management is not providing you with clean & safe living conditions. (Continued…)
Proud
posted 4/16/08 @ 10:33 AM EST
Why so upset at them? They are excerising their rights about something they care about. I know its wierd to actually care about something when their isn't a famous person, 50 million people, or nice beat be hind it right? Why don't you go sit in on those estatbilshments "FAMU Product" if you care about it? Stop tearing eachother down my god! You don't have to support it, but those are your brothers and sisters its about time we start respecting eachother. (Continued…)
Confused
posted 4/16/08 @ 12:31 PM EST
"Franklin, 20, a junior pharmacy student from Tallahassee, and Ardis were the student body president candidates who were not elected. After that, Franklin and Ardis filed for an appeal and a trial was held March 19 and April 2. (Continued…)
Rashaad
posted 4/16/08 @ 12:46 PM EST
i am extremely disappointed in the famu election process. and i'm not saying that it doesn't work, because it does, and i do believe to a large extent that it's the best it's going to get. (Continued…)
Famu student
posted 4/16/08 @ 2:58 PM EST
Sooo....where's the brotherhood? Aren't Gallop and Collins fraternity brothers. Gallop should rally behind his frat brother and support him and be on his cabinet. (Continued…)
Amir
posted 4/16/08 @ 6:28 PM EST
Again, regardless of who you believe should have won. The whole trial was not just about them so called "losing." It was about the Electoral Commission violating their rights. (Continued…)
FAMU Product
posted 4/16/08 @ 8:28 PM EST
The court has ruled. The elections are over. OVER!! This is the final week of classes. Students take exams next week. So what are we going to do, have an election this summer?
It's over. (Continued…)
The Truth
posted 4/17/08 @ 10:05 AM EST
Senseless. How can we can compare something as small as someone losing an election to an entire civil rights movement. The system that is being talked about is the same system that was used when last years election took place and fall semester took place. (Continued…)
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