-- American River News --

Pro-Prop 8 ARC Student Group Wins Legal Battle Against Los Rios Community College District

2010-08-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

Sacramento - ARC students celebrated their recent victory in federal court against the Los Rios Community College District, after federal Judge Lawrence K. Karlton ruled last Wednesday that the district had violated the students' 14th Amendment right to due process when it invalidated thousands of student votes last year.

Pro-Prop 8 Student Group Wins Legal Battle
http://www.kcra.com/mostpopular/24627659/detail.html
Judge Rules Los Rios Board Was Wrong to Toss Out Election
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/08/17/2963496/judge-rules-los-rios-board-was.html

2009-05-20T01:49:00.000-07:00

Officials strong-arm conservative students

ARC Votes 11-5 to Oppose LGBT "Day of Silence"

2009-04-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

WorldNetDaily: Student resolution objects to 'gay' promotion

SacBee: American River College student leaders declare opposition to gay rights rally

Fox40 News: College Anti-Gay Controversy (type title in video search feature)

KCRA: ARC Leaders Oppose Gay-Rights Event

SacBee: American River College student leaders oppose event for gays

ABC7, SF: Day of Silence gives LGBT issues a voice (includes ARC at end)

Council Meeting Opening and Select Public Comment:

More student testimony plus final vote at 8 minutes 20 seconds

42,000 Student CA College Officially Opposes "Day of Silence"

2009-04-16T19:50:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS: Student Council passes Resolutions for Student Bill of Rights and a Committee on Anti-Religous Discrimination!

2009-04-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, April 9th, the ARC Student Association passed two Resolutions: S09-02 - Student Bill of Rights, and S09-03 - Committee on Anti-Religious Discrimination. The Council's historic actions drew the attention of America's largest conservative news source, WorldNetDaily, which reported on the actions of the Student Council in an article released today as well. American River College is likely to be the first college in the State of California to adopt a Student Bill of Rights and advocate for the formation of a committee to raise awareness to anti-religious discrimination.

The Student Bill of Rights, which the SA also adopted at the Council Meeting is considered to be a call for the Administration "to defend the right of students to be treated with respect by faculty and administrators, regardless of their political or religious beliefs," as stated in Resolution S09-02. Surveys show that most college students feel there is "political bias" in the classroom.

Also passed was Resolution S09-03, titled Committee on Anti-Religious Discrimination. It was slightly modified after the President of the college, David Viar, vetoed the original, S09-01, stating this action was "outside the purview of the student organization which is 'to promote the intellectual, physical, political, and multicultural life of the college and the general welfare of the student community' and 'to encourage students to participate in the governance of the college.'"

Author of the resolution George "Yuriy" Popko said he met with President Viar and "took his suggestions into consideration when re-writing the resolution, since it is our desire to show the Administration that the Associated Student Body of American River College is willing to work together with them in addressing the issues which the students have elected us to deal with."

Although he mentions he disagrees with the stated reasons for the veto because of "prior restraint" which may be implied in the official letter sent to Student Association President Jacob Johnson - "the formation and operation of this committee has the potential to violate and interfere with well-established District and College Policies and procedures that bar discrimination," SA Student Rep. George Popko said he intends to seek a redress of grievances.

EDITORIAL: A Little Honesty Please, ARC Faculty ARE Promoting Same-Sex "Marriage"

2008-12-12T01:05:00.000-08:00

EDITORIAL: We are publishing this response in order to clear the record regarding the misinformation being spread in the comment section of this blog about the ARC faculty-sponsored "8 Minutes of Silence" event on Monday. Blogger "Rob" posted a comment stating: "I don't think they were pissed off about Prop 8, they were pissed off that [the Student Gov.] took Prop 8 into the realm of education... As a future teacher, I can understand why politics mingling with something that they consider to be holy and good (education and teaching)... would make them angry."

Rob's comments are simply not true. The ARC Faculty specifically explained WHY they were organizing this event on their flier: "8 Minutes of Silence: For Marriage Equality and GLBT Civil Rights." The flier was not titled "8 Minutes of Silence: Keep Politics out of Education." To say that this event was anything other than a promotion of same-sex "marriage" on behalf of the ARC Faculty is just not true. Take a look at the header on the back side of the flier: "Why a rally for marriage equality at ARC??? Read what these 8 people have to say..." Again, this was not a "rally against politics in education", this was a rally for same-sex "marriage." In fact, this was a rally of ARC Faculty bringing politics into education.

Here's some excerpts from the 8 Faculty members that oppose Prop 8: "Please join me on December 8 for the Noon rally Eight Minutes of Silence for Marriage Equality. - Phil Smith, Mathematics". "As a wife, a mother, and a faithful Christian, I stand in support of same-sex marriage... -Kathy Sorensen, Biology". Other Faculty endorsing the "8 Minutes of Silence: for marriage equality" were: John Aubert (Geography), Alina Cervantes (Early Childhood Ed), Pam Chao (Sociology), Jana Gonsalves (Nutrition), Keith Atwater (Humanities), and Chris Rubio (English).

So let's just be honest about what's being promoted by the Faculty at ARC. As shown in the video, the students participating in the "8 Minutes of Noise" clearly displayed and defended their position: "Yes on 8", "Celebrate Prop 8." All we ask is that both sides do the same - it'd sure save some editorial space.

*Click on the images to enlarge and read the full "8 Minutes of Silence: For Marriage Equality" flier.

ARC Faculty vs ARC Students: 8 Minute Rallies For/Against Prop 8

2008-12-09T18:25:00.000-08:00

After ARC faculty members gathered for "8 minutes of silence" against Prop 8, ARC students responded at the same time with their own "8 minutes of noise" in support of Prop 8, the official position of the Student Body. A student video was acquired which covers most of the 8 minute controversy.

BREAKING NEWS: ARC Faculty to hold anti-Prop 8 event Monday, 11:40am-12:08pm

2008-12-07T22:34:00.000-08:00

Numerous faculty members at ARC will be holding an "8 Minutes of Silence" event on campus Monday, to oppose Prop 8. The event was organized due to upset faculty members complaining about seeing signs such as "ARC Students Support Prop 8" on the news and at local Prop 8 events around Sacramento. They plan to hold a march from 11:40am -Noon which will culminate with "8 Minutes of Silence" in the Rose Marks Quad from 12:00-12:08pm.

ARC students and members of the Student Council called the faculty-organized event "a divisive attempt by the faculty to oppose the majority of students who support Prop 8." Students have organized their own demonstration to show support for their Student Council's vote to endorse Prop 8. They plan to meet in front of the library on Monday at 11:40am and march to Rose Marks Quad at 12:00 for what they've called "8 Minutes of Noise."

10 LGBT-Endorsed Candidates Fail to Gain Seats on Student Council

2008-11-29T20:56:00.000-08:00

All ten LGBT Club-Endorsed candidates failed to win seats on the Student Council for next semester, stated a release issued by Blaze Jeppeson, SA Commissioner of Elections.

Out of the 23 students running for 10 seats up for election on the 18-member student council, two coalitions of 10 students each formed. One side received an endorsement of ARC's Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Club, the other side received support from Christian students. Three students ran as independents.

No one is calling these election results close, with those in the lead pulling around 30% more student votes. Those winning seats on the Council all received between 900-1000 votes, while those failing to win seats received votes ranging between 50-600 students.

The ten new Student Representatives will take their place on the Student Council on January 1st, 2009.

Recall Effort Fails to Remove Prop 8 Supporters from Council

2008-10-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

A recall effort failed to remove 9 members of the American River College Student Council for their endorsement of Prop 8, the Marriage Protection Act. “Our campus is made up of a fairly conservative, Christian student body; our vote to endorse Prop 8 was simply a reflection of the attitude of the majority of our students”, said Vladimir Musorivschi, a Student Representative who was targeted in the failed recall effort. SA President Jacob Johnson responded to the voting results, saying, “The students overwhelmingly backed the council and endorsed proposition 8.”

Last month, the Council had passed a resolution endorsing Proposition 8 by an 8-3 vote, sparking much political dialogue on campus. The resulting voter turn-out broke state-wide records for students voting in college campus elections which typically average well under 1000 votes.

With around 3500 students voting (about 7x the number of students voting in the last election) the 9 students targeted for recall won between 200-300 more votes (6-9% points ahead). The Council members will retain their position on the Student Council and plan to continue to address issues such as parking and lowering textbook prices.

News Coverage:
'Gay' Advocates Fail to Unseat Christians:
http://wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78982

Nine ARC Leaders Still Standing - Recall Fails
http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/1339927.html

ARC Students Rally For & Against Prop 8

2008-10-08T01:46:00.000-07:00

American River College hit the news again Tuesday as students rallied in favor, as well as against, the Council's controversial endorsement of Proposition 8. News10 coverage can be watched at the following link: http://www.news10.net/video/default.aspx?maven_playerId=immersiveplayer&maven_referralObject=881493273

Also see the 2nd SacBee story published Wednesday, October 8th:
Support For Gay Marriage Ban Divides ARC Students

Students Question Why SA President Johnson is on Recall List

2008-10-04T00:36:00.001-07:00

While it is understandable that many students are upset about the ARC Student Council's recent 8-3 vote to support Proposition 8, the effort to recall the council smells 'fishy' to some.

The main question being asked is: "If the recall effort is really about the Council's vote to support Prop 8, why is SA President Jacob Johnson listed on the recall list?"

Jacob Johnson, as accurately stated in the Sacramento Bee, "did not have a vote in the matter" when it came to the 8-3 vote endorsing Prop 8. The President, as chair of the Council can only vote in the case of a tie, so why is it that he's on the list to recall?

After a little investigation, things start to make a little more sense when the identity of the man behind the "RECALL S.A." sign is revealed. The man behind the sign is Lou Martinson, the past S.A. President who was replaced by current S.A. President Jacob Johnson at the last election. Yuriy Popko, a former Student Representative, told ARNews "The recall effort shows that Lou Martinson still hasn't gotten over his loss in the last election and is just trying to mask his effort to kick Johnson out behind the Prop 8 vote."

Tim Richey, a Councilman leading the charge to recall members of the Council stated in the Sacramento Bee: "We are against discrimination and hatred, and we want them out of office." Popko responded, "Again, Tim Richey's got some explaining to do as to how he's lumped Johnson into his recall effort. It's obvious Jacob had no vote in the Prop 8 Resolution and Richey's just trying to cover his political scheme behind the opposition to the vote for Prop 8."

Ironically, Blaze Jeppeson, the author of the Resolution to endorse Prop 8, is not listed on the sign.

Council Support for Prop 8 Puts ARC in the News

2008-10-02T01:05:00.000-07:00

American River College has been in the news recently after the Student Council voted 8-3 in favor of passing a controversial resolution endorsing Proposition 8.

Sacramento Bee: ARC Student Council votes to back gay marriage ban

WorldNetDaily.com: College Students Condemn 'Gay' Marriage

KCRA 3: ARC Student Council Endorses Proposition 8

Also Fox40 covered a story last night which can be viewed below:

ARC Council Passes Prop 8 Resolution, Chaotic Room Packed

2008-10-01T03:32:00.000-07:00

The American River College Student Council voted in favor of a Resolution endorsing Proposition 8 (Marriage Protection Act) in a land-slide 8-3 vote, Tuesday.

A chaotic environment erupted after the vote was taken and the decision announced by President Johnson: "The Resolution passes." Cheers erupted to support the Council's decision, while at the same time, threats of recalling the council members were also heard throughout the audience.

View a copy of the Resolution here

ARNews was able to acquire a student video of the vote count and decision:

ARNews also acquired the following video showing one Student Council member being cursed out by the audience for his comments on Prop 8:

ARC Student Council Hears Debate on Prop 8

2008-09-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

The Student Council at American River College had it's first reading of a resolution endorsing Prop 8 for the November 4th, 2008 election.
AmericanRiverNews was able to acquire a copy of the video of the hearing in it's entirety from a student who attended the September 23rd, 2008 Council Meeting.

Another student gave us permission to use this next video of former Student Representative Yuri Popko speaking in favor of passing the Prop 8 Resolution. (Video has better camera view of the standing-room only audience).

A "Conspiracy" at ARC?

2008-08-05T01:28:00.000-07:00

EDITORIAL: The front page of the ARC Current newspaper dramatically reports: "The Conspiracy theory - the former Christian Civilization Club is attempting to take over the student association." Pages more follow, dripping with spelling errors, grammatical mistakes and improper sentence structure - all typical of the Current staff quality - but we need not even look at the rest of the article.

Already, one must ask: "how exactly does a former club attempt to take over anything? Additionally, one can't help but think: if there are 18 positions on the ARC student council, how can a tiny "mob" of 3 candidates with "questionable ties" to a former club even be said to "attempt" to take over the entire Student Association?

It appears that the ARC Current newspaper staff have a bias against the Christian students simply because they want to add some diversity to the council. So if we're going to be talking about a "take over", let's talk about Yuriy Popko's Guest Column in the Current:

"Lou Martinson is also the Treasurer of the GLBTQ club. In addition to him being the SA President, ALL of the GLBTQ officers are currently in Student Government: John/Joan McTeague is the President of the GLBTQ club and after NOT being re-elected last semester, was appointed to the Board of Justice by Lou Martinson and also holds a position on the Inter-Club Council; the Vice President of the GLBTQ club is Rachid Frihi, who was also appointed this semester as a Student Representative by fellow GLBTQ member officer and SA President Lou Martinson. Go to Clubs & Organizations on the ARC Web site to verify this information."

So are we taking sides in this editorial? Yes, we're taking sides with the truth.

Students Question Whether their Student Funds Should be Used to Support Issuance of Same-Sex Marriage "Licenses" on Campus

2008-02-14T22:05:00.000-08:00

February 14th - It's Valentine's Day and love is in the air at American River College. But not all students are happy on this normally joyful day. The reason? The Student Association at ARC decided to issue fake marriage licenses to students as part of a fundraiser for the campus. Among those receiving Student Association-approved "licenses" were seven men marrying one woman, as well as two men marrying each other. Reactions from students ranged from support to vehement disapproval.

In an interview with American River News, a student, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the ceremony made him "feel sick" when he saw the two men were issued a license by the American River College Student Association. When asked further for the reason behind his comment, he explained that his brother had died of AIDS after living most of his life engaging in same-gender sexual activity.

Other students were surprised at the reason stated for marrying two students of the same sex. During the same-sex marriage ceremony, the official wedding director stated "This is for love, honor and... most important, to piss certain people off!" Some viewed this comment as "out of line" and "a specific attack against religious students" who oppose same-sex marriage.

In total, about 6 groups/couples were issued marriage "licenses" on Thursday.

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: A student at American River College video-taped the same-sex wedding ceremony which ARNews was able to acquire. See the video below:

Voice your opinion about this topic!

Should the Student Association use student funds to issue same-sex marriage licenses?

Transgender SA Board of Justice Member Ruled Out of Order for Using Profanity in Attack on Student Rep.

2008-02-12T22:22:00.000-08:00

SA Council Meeting, ARC - An openly transgender student who serves on the Board of Justice for the Student Association verbally attacked Student Representative Garcia at Tuesday's heated meeting. John McTeag, who alternately goes by Joan on official SA documents, was speaking during Public Comment regarding Representative Garcia when he apparently lost his temper and accused Garcia of running an "entire campaign of hatred" and ended by calling Garcia's actions "bull-sh*t." McTeag was ruled out of order for "inappropriate language" by SA President Lou Martinson, who had recently appointed McTeag for Board of Justice in December, 2007.

McTeag's outburst appears to have been based on some allegations that Garcia and other candidates ran a campaign which used photos of the transgender McTeag wearing a dress in order to get McTeag voted out. Garcia won the election with about 40 votes more than McTeag, but the results are still being disputed.

Exclusive video footage of McTeag's outburst can be viewed below: