NDNU students take on noise complaints with silent protest
By Corazon Riley
Issue date: 9/27/07 Section: News
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NDNU students held a silent protest Saturday afternoon on Ralston Avenue as a statement to neighbors who have complained about noise from Koret Field.
The protest, held between the men's and women's soccer games, brought together hundreds of students, both athletes and non-athletes, to show support for the field.
"It's time they realize we are a part of their community," said student Melanie Massey. "I work here, I go to school here, I volunteer here, I should have a voice here."
The students wore yellow shirts that said "SUPPORT" and lined Ralston Avenue in front of the field. Four hundred shirts were made and nearly all given out. Programming board members Connie Rivers and Lauren Sova organized the protest.
Signs reading "Is the university supposed to be seen not heard," "Price of field: $1 million. Support: Priceless" and "What silent sport does your kid play?" were held up by students.
Cars driving on Ralston honked in support of the students. Since the protest was silent, none of the signs encouraged honking, but some students got into their cars and honked their horns along the protesters' line as well.
One neighbor was very upset about the noise from the cars, bringing her sick child outside and calling the Belmont police. She said she supported the school, but did not appreciate the protest because it caused so much unintended noise.
"I think she will remain a supporter," said ASNDNU president Mallory Barr, "but I don't want to push our limits."
However, the police officer who responded said he could not do anything about the protesters because it was the students' constitutional right to protest, but he warned that they would begin to pull people over for their excessive honking.
He also suggested that the protest may have been counterproductive because of it.
One neighbor said that he supported the university and that he realized there was school across the street when he moved in, but he said didn't think that his neighbors had.
The protest, held between the men's and women's soccer games, brought together hundreds of students, both athletes and non-athletes, to show support for the field.
"It's time they realize we are a part of their community," said student Melanie Massey. "I work here, I go to school here, I volunteer here, I should have a voice here."
The students wore yellow shirts that said "SUPPORT" and lined Ralston Avenue in front of the field. Four hundred shirts were made and nearly all given out. Programming board members Connie Rivers and Lauren Sova organized the protest.
Signs reading "Is the university supposed to be seen not heard," "Price of field: $1 million. Support: Priceless" and "What silent sport does your kid play?" were held up by students.
Cars driving on Ralston honked in support of the students. Since the protest was silent, none of the signs encouraged honking, but some students got into their cars and honked their horns along the protesters' line as well.
One neighbor was very upset about the noise from the cars, bringing her sick child outside and calling the Belmont police. She said she supported the school, but did not appreciate the protest because it caused so much unintended noise.
"I think she will remain a supporter," said ASNDNU president Mallory Barr, "but I don't want to push our limits."
However, the police officer who responded said he could not do anything about the protesters because it was the students' constitutional right to protest, but he warned that they would begin to pull people over for their excessive honking.
He also suggested that the protest may have been counterproductive because of it.
One neighbor said that he supported the university and that he realized there was school across the street when he moved in, but he said didn't think that his neighbors had.
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