Richmond May Day Marches Through Controversy

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- Union supporters and labor activists came together on May 1st to celebrate one cause – May Day. And like the labor movement, it did not come without controversy.

Nearly 300 people gathered at Monroe Park to listen to performers and speakers rally about workers’ rights and the need to continue to fight for social equality. The third May Day rally led to a parade of flags, signs and puppets with music by the No BS Brass Band. People marched through Monroe Park up to Harrison St. and Broad St.

The parade was not legal. In late April, a federal judge denied the May Day Coalition a permit because the group did not want to pay for security from off-duty police officers. Organizers warned marchers to stay on the sidewalks but many did not listen.

Police did not show up until the parade reached Broad St. The parade finished without any arrests.

The idea of a workers’ holiday came about after the 1886 Haymarket Massacre when Chicago police fired against union strikers and killed a dozen people.

AD Talks About VCU Athletics

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- VCU Athletics has soared to new heights since 2006, including the recent run to the Final Four, and there's one man who's behind it all.

Norwood Teague was hired as VCU's Director of Athletics in 2006 and under his watch, the Rams continue to add more to their trophy case.

Teague was recently interviewed by the University of Miami for the Dir. of Athletics position over there. He said he turned down the position because he loves VCU and Richmond so much and that there's more work he wants to accomplish.

Teague says the success of VCU Athletics comes from hiring great coaches, who in turn will recruit great student athletes.

Rapper Adds "Author" to Résumé

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- A Virginia rapper adds a new occupation to his résumé: author.

Malice from the rap duo Clipse visited VCU on April 11 to promote his new book, "Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind and Naked."

Malice led a lecture and showed video excerpts that he created to promote the book. Students asked questions and a book signing followed after the lecture.

The Student Hip-Hop Organization (SHHO) of VCU hosted the event after Malice visited the campuses of Old Dominion University, William and Mary and the University of Virginia. Malice says he is working on an audio-book and movie version of the book.

'Mass Comm Week' Highlights Media Leaders

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- The School of Mass Communications is hosting "Mass Comm Week," their annual speaker series about today's media.

Carol Mawyer, a faculty member in mass communications and the event's organizer, said leading representatives from the fields of journalism, advertising and public relations will talk at different panels about how modern media are changing.

Mawyer adds that while they encourage the general public to attend, this is an opportunity for current mass communications student to get career advice, including a chance to attend a career fair for internships.

"Mass Comm Week" runs from Monday, April 25 through Friday, April 29. Most events will be in the VCU Temple building or in the Student Commons on the Monroe Park campus.

VCU Students 'Nearly Naked' For Charity

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- "Be bold and feel the cold." That's what 50 students did in the beginning of March as the VCU student organization Students Today Alumni Tomorrow hosted its first Nearly Naked Mile to show what it's like to be coatless during the winter.

Students and volunteers ran laps around the Cary Street Fields and donated a variety of winter clothing, such as coats, sweaters and socks. All donations were given to the charity HillTop Promises, who help those in need.

The organization got the idea from Morehead University and decided to bring it to VCU for fun community service.

Non-Profit Shows Off Pedal Power

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- Pedaling isn't just a form of exercise--it's also a form of power. To raise awareness about energy conservation and sustainability, a non-profit organization called Pedal Power held its third annual Pedal Power competition in Richmond in mid-March.

Twenty teams of two pedaled for half an hour while watt meters measured how much power was produced.

Participants produced over 4,000 watts, enough to power a standard desktop computer for 19 hours. They used their power to cook their lunch, provided by P.F. Chang's. Pedal Power plans to power several food vendors at Richmond's Earth Day Festival in April.

Alternative Designs Proposed For Virginia Capital Trail

By Junelynn Tran
VCU Insight

RICHMOND, Va. -- Two alternative designs have been proposed for the next phase of development for the Virginia Capital Trail, a separate trail or a widened shoulder along Route 5. The next phase will be constructed in Varina in eastern Henrico County.

A recent public hearing by the Virginia Department of Transportation gathered citizens opinion and found that more than 75% of Varina residents prefer a separate trail. A shoulder-widening project would impact property owners and could cost almost twice as much as a separate trail.

The 55-mile Virginia Capital Trail runs parallel along Route 5 all the way from Richmond to Williamsburg. Four sections of the trail are already complete. The trail should be finished by 2014.