Nov. 3, 2004
Mich. bans gay marriage

Voters in Michigan approved a ballot proposal on Nov. 2 to amend the state's constitution to ban gay marriage and other similar unions.

With the adoption of the proposal, the constitution will now define the union between a man and a woman in legal marriage as "the only agreement recognized as a marriage or similar union for any purpose."

About 63 percent of voters approved the proposal.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender caucus of the University's chapter of the College Democrats led a movement on campus opposing the proposal by campaigning in the Diag during the week before the vote.

"We are arguing that this amendment puts discrimination into our constitution," caucus member Andrea Knittel said. "The last six words are so vague and poorly worded that we don't know what the amendment will do."

It's likely the constitutionality of the amendment will be challenged in the courts.

"The wording of the amendment is a poor match for what its proponents claim it should achieve - that is, to protect marriage from an assault by state judges. This amendment goes much farther, appearing to invalidate private arrangements and civil unions," said Mae Kuykendall, professor of law at Michigan State University's College of Law.

- Karen Tee, Daily Staff Reporter

April 20, 2004
Views on Iraq: one year later

To mark the first anniversary of the beginning of the war in Iraq, more than 2,500 Ann Arbor residents marched through the city on April 17, 2004 to protest America's continuing involvement in Iraq and to honor the victims of the war.

The rally, titled "The World STILL Says No to War" and sponsored by the Ann Arbor Area Committee for Peace, Anti-War Action! and Veterans for Peace, was part of a greater protest throughout the world.

Veterans for Peace constructed a symbolic cemetery on the grass of the Diag, with a cross, Star of David or other symbol for every American soldier killed in Iraq. At sundown they held a candlelight ceremony and read the names of American soldiers killed in Iraq.

The rocket attack in Baghdad of April 19 brought the number of American soldiers killed in Iraq up to 578.

LSA sophomore Pamela Baker, who attended the rally, said anti-war protest is still relevant even though a year has elapsed since the U.S. invasion began.

"A lot of people think it doesn't matter anymore because we already went to war," she said, "but it's important in an election year because a lot of people are concerned about the direction the U.S. is going, especially in foreign policy."

- Lucille Vaughan, Daily Staff Reporter

January 4, 2007
Bill Clinton to speak to grads

After a string of relatively low-profile commencement speakers drew complaints from many graduating seniors, this year's choice, former President Bill Clinton, is eliciting a much different reaction.

Clinton will address an audience of about 40,000 in Michigan Stadium on April 28.

Having a speaker as famous as Clinton is a cause for excitement among many members of the class of 2007. Students said the past several speakers have lacked name recognition.

The fact that Clinton was a world leader as the class of 2007 was growing up is a bonus, LSA senior Allison Jacobs said.

"We watched him when we were in middle school and just learning about politics," she said.

Gary Krenz, special counsel to University President Mary Sue Coleman, who heads the commencement speaker search process, said it took over a year to secure Clinton's commitment.

"Throughout the year, people with (Coleman's) office checked in on the invitation and reiterated our desire to have him speak," said Lisa Jeffreys, a project specialist in Coleman's office.

Krenz said those involved in the process worked with contacts close to Clinton to bolster the University's chances of recruiting him.

The University Board of Regents granted Clinton an honorary doctorate of laws Jan. 18.

- Jessica Vosgerchian, Daily Staff Reporter