2008 Woodie Awards
Student group pushes for Snelgrove resolution
Kaitlin Buckley
Issue date: 12/8/04 Section: News
Persistent members of Suffolk's student activist group Students For Peace and Justice have reintroduced a resolution calling for the city of Boston to ban "less lethal" weapons, out of respect to the memory of Emerson College student Victoria Snelgrove and others harmed after the Red Sox' victory in American League Championship Series on Oct. 20.
There have been 120 student and faculty signatures gathered in support of the new resolution, along with a letter of support sent from renowned activist Noam Chomsky.
The resolution, written by Students for Peace and Justice member Rob Laurent, calls for the ban of "less lethal" weapons in the city of Boston until they are "proven not to do any undue harm," according to Laurent.
It also calls for an independent verification of manufacturer specifications that will ensure the use of these weapons will not result in serious injury or death, and that police and law enforcement officials be properly trained to use them according to those specifications. Lastly, the resolution states that there must be a "system of accountability" which confirms that when and if these weapons are used, they are used correctly.
"We're not saying never use these [weapons] again," said Laurent.
"But we've seen them used once and they've killed someone and they've cracked a couple of people's skulls."
"All we're asking for is that they stop using these weapons until they have the procedures and the training to [determine] that they can use these things in the safest way possible," Laurent said.
The subject of holding local law enforcement officials accountable for their post-game response has had its share of difficulties in the days following its first introduction.
After a series of stormy SGA meetings, the original resolution was voted down, partly due to criticism among members who felt that it was not a fair representation of the student body's feelings.
Others also felt there was no room for compromise in its calling for the resignation of police officers involved in Snelgrove's death if their behavior was indeed judged to be inappropriate.
With this newly revised resolution and corresponding signatures, Students for Peace and Justice hope that it will be passed by the student government.
"This is the version the students want," stresses Class of 2006 Representative Jack Hamm, who is sponsoring the resolution.
On Tuesday, Nov.16, Emerson College passed their own resolution petitioning Mayor Thomas Menino, Police Commissioner Kathleen O'Toole and the Boston City Council to ban "less-lethal" weapons. It remains to be seen whether Suffolk University will follow suit.