deadline 
to 
produce 

documents explaining why 
he was detained. During this 
time, the Knight-Wallace 
Fellowship, 
a 
University 

program 
managed 
by 

Wallace House that allows 
mid-career journalists to 
spend an academic year at 
the University, advocated 
for his release and accepted 
him as a fellow for the 2018-
2019 school year. Gutiérrez 
and his son have been living 
in Ann Arbor since the 
beginning of his fellowship 
in September.

Judge Robert Hough, the 

current presiding judge on 
the case, denied Gutiérrez’s 
asylum 
request 
in 
July 

2017, but later reinstated 
the appeal. Wallace House 
Director Lynette Clemetson 
said 
the 
family 
should 

know the results of the case 
by January. Hough also 
denied earlier requests to 
change the hearing venue 
to Michigan, a mandate 
that Beckett has taken to 
indicate 
an 
unjust 
bias 

against Gutiérrez.

Beckett cited the lack 

of consideration of new 
material evidence as his 
first indication of injustice. 
He described the allegedly 
ignored evidence filed in 
the 
appeals 
court, 
such 

as updatedexpert data on 
conditions in Mexico that 
show 47 reporters have 
been killed in the country 
since 
1992, 
and 
letters 

of support from various 
prominent news outlets and 
organizations.

“I 
strongly 
believe 

that 
Judge 
Hough 
has 

prejudged the case. He’s 
done 
everything 
in 
his 

power 
to 
minimize 
it. 

Judges are kind of like the 
gatekeepers of cases, they 
admit and exclude evidence, 
they decide whose credible 
and who is not,” Beckett 
said. “Back in May, we won 
Emilio’s appeal to have the 
judge review new material 
evidence 
that 
was 
not 

available before that was 
very important to the case. 
All the evidence that was 
submitted should’ve been 
with Judge Hough on Oct 
22, and he barely has it. That 
seems very reckless, that’s 
never happened to me.”

Kathy Kiely, Lee Hills 

Chair in free press studies at 
the University of Missouri 
School of Journalism and 
National Press Club freedom 
fellow, spearheaded NPC’s 
effort to gather evidence of 
Gutiérrez’s past journalistic 
work. 
She 
tweeted 
a 

document detailing letters 
of support from the NPC, 
Radio-Television 
Digital 

News Association and the 

National 
Association 
of 

Hispanic Journalists.

Beckett 
claimed 
that 

despite a strong testimony 
from Clemetson in support 
Gutiérrez’s asylum request, 
her efforts were not taken 
into 
account. 
Clemetson 

joined the two for a hearing 
in August and on Monday. 

“When Lynette joined us 

in August, she came in good 
faith to introduce herself, 
to meet the judge, to tell 
him about her program, 
and 
the 
judge 
wouldn’t 

even acknowledge her in 
the courtroom and told 
me it was irrelevant. And 
to me, that was a sign of 
disrespect, at that moment 
I told the judge that it was 
in the interest of justice 
and 
Emilio’s 
fellowship, 

which is not just some 
small 
accomplishment, 

that this case should no 
longer be before him, and 
that it should be moved to 
Michigan,” 
Beckett 
said. 

“He later said, ‘I don’t care 
if you turn blue, I’m not 
letting go of this case.’”

Clemetson echoed many 

of Beckett’s sentiments.

“I was able to testify. 

Emilio was able to testify. It 
was clear that the judge did 
not consider our testimony 
at all,” she said. “After 
everything that happened, 
it was our assumption that 
we 
were 
testifying 
not 

just to the judge but to the 
appeals court, because the 
judge had indicated that our 
testimonies were not going 
to change the way he saw 
the case.”

Clemetson 
said 
while 

they are appreciative the 
two can return to Ann Arbor 
for the time being, the team 
still has a long way to go 
before Gutiérrez and his son 
will have secure status.

“The sad thing is that the 

judge has always had the 
power to grant asylum to 
Emilio and Oscar, and while 
this further delay means 
that he can come back to 
Michigan, a much better 
outcome would’ve been that 
the judge look at all of the 
evidence and grant asylum 
for this journalist whose life 
is in danger,” she said. “That 
was the desired outcome 
yesterday, and we certainly 
hope that the ruling in 
January reflects that he 
has gone through all of the 
evidence presented, which 
at this point addresses every 
concern that he expressed 
in his first ruling. There 
should be ample evidence 
to allow him to reach a 
different 
conclusion 
this 

time, but if he doesn’t and 
if he denies asylum a second 
time, I am certain that 
Emilio’s lawyers are going 
to pursue the appeal.”

The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com
News
Thursday, October 25, 2018 — 3A

thing,” Burke said. “This is just 
something that I’m feeling, or 
to even describe. I’m not going 
to make a comment right now, 
but I’m going to tell you how my 
frame of reference was built. 
I’m going to tell you where I’m 
coming from as I enter into this 
conversation. The intention is 
not to change someone’s mind. 
There’s no winning.”

Panel member Rachel Rohr, a 

Knight-Wallace fellow, spoke of 
her experience with trolls while 
managing the digital side of a 
show on National Public Radio. 
She discussed how her show 
was unique among others for 
having a particularly healthy 
comment section. In order to 
achieve this, she shared that 
she dedicated time every day 
to read every comment. If a 
commenter violated community 
guidelines, she would redact 
or delete their comment in 
addition to explaining to them 

why she did so. She spoke of 
how her presence itself altered 
behavior, 
for 
people 
knew 

she was there monitoring the 
conversation.

However, she also noted such 

an approach had its limitations 
due to subjectivity. She also 
spoke of how such a solution 
was only necessary because 
the 
structural 
features 
of 

the comment section could 
not 
prevent 
trolling, 
and 

how ultimately it is not ideal 
because it is not sustainable nor 
scalable.

Overall, 
much 
of 
the 

discussion 
referenced 
ideas 

raised 
by 
fourth 
panel 

member 
Megan 
Ankerson, 

a 
communications 
studies 

associate 
professor. 
She 

outlined many of the main 
difficulties 
with 
changing 

online 
dialogue 
relate 
to 

questions of labor, or who 
moderates the exchanges, and 
architecture or how the design 
of a platform could prevent 
trolling.

Ankerson 
concluded 

solutions must address both 

the 
technological 
and 
the 

human. In the last remarks of 
the evening, she envisions the 
kind of common space online 
environments should be.

“I think, as someone that 

comes 
from 
communication 

studies, that this is a really 
important connection between 
community 
and 
common, 

and having a space where 
we 
don’t 
necessarily 
have 

our 
opinions 
in 
common, 

but a space in which we can 
debate questions of common 
concern, in order to, you know, 
communicate,” Ankerson said.

Dawson-Andoh 
said 
the 

point that resonated with her 
the most was the discussion of 
exactly how online culture can 
be reshaped.

“I think the question of labor, 

and how you’re to moderate 
online spaces if you want to, you 
know, deal with (this) problem 
with this problem of toxicity, 
not 
just 
trolling, 
not 
just 

individuals, because toxicity is 
an entire environment – How 
do we stop that?” Dawson-
Andoh said.

Event 
organizer 
Kristin 

Hass, the faculty coordinator of 
the Humanities Collaboratory, 
explained 
the 
event 
was 

designed to encourage audience 
engagement, particularly from 
undergraduate students.

“People in the humanities 

have 
a 
lot 
to 
contribute 

to try and understand the 
world, and that wouldn’t it 
be cool to provide a space for 
undergraduates to get in on 
the conversation, so that we 
weren’t just inviting people to 
come and give a lecture,” Hass 
said. “The intent (of the event) 
was to provide an opportunity 
for undergraduates to talk to, 
to have a real exchange with 
faculty and actors in the world 
who are trying to address a big 
problem that matters to a lot of 
us.”

Ankerson 
also 
mentioned 

the Humanities Collaboratory 
is planning to host another 
High Stakes Culture event next 
semester and were looking 
for student input on potential 
topics.

ASYLUM
From Page 1A

One 
of 
the 
questions 

submitted 
asked 
if 
the 

University 
could 
build 
new 

student housing on land the 
University 
currently 
owns, 

making 
it 
environmentally 

friendly and low cost.

Acker 
responded 
the 

University 
has 
allowed 
the 

private sector to build in parts 
of campus like S. University 
Street 
and 
students 
pay 
a 

substantial amount to live in a 
good location.

“I think there’s an element of 

planning that needs to go on,” 
Acker said. “When I hear the 
amount that people are paying 

for housing close to campus, it’s 
become such a premium that it’s 
really ridiculous.”

Rabhi added the University 

has land that is underutilized 
currently in parts of North 
Campus, especially near Baits.

“The 
University 
has 
a 

considerable amount of land 
up there,” Rabhi said. “Some of 
the more underutilized land the 
University has is some of the 
Northwood developments where 
there’s vast swaths of mowed 
grass that could be potentially 
utilized for University students 
that are housed and families.”

Another question mentioned 

a U-M Dearborn survey that 
collected 
data 
on 
student 

housing and food insecurity. 
The question posed whether 
similar 
information 
would 

become available for Ann Arbor 
and whether any action would 
be taken.

Brown 
said 
the 
lack 
of 

information 
on 
Ann 
Arbor 

would 
make 
improving 
or 

helping 
these 
marginalized 

populations difficult.

“I can’t believe there hasn’t 

been a survey,” Brown said. 
“How do you understand the 
group you’re trying to serve if 
you don’t have the data?”

Rabhi added a Washtenaw 

County perspective, mentioning 
there is data and information 
available 
on 
homeless 

populations in the county but 
not so much for students.

“The county Human Service 

net knows a lot about hunger 
in the community,” Rabhi said. 
“But there’s a lot of gaps when it 

comes to the student population 
in particular.”

Rabhi also mentioned money 

the county receives for these 
populations takes into account 
low-income students.

Many questions brought up 

also dealt with the changing 
socioeconomic demographic of 
the University, including how 
large parts of the state may view 
the University as expensive 
and inaccessible. The median 
income 
at 
the 
University 

measures at $154,000. 

Brown 
compared 
the 

differences of students who 
attend the University based on 
county.

REGENTS
From Page 1A

TROLLS
From Page 1A

social 
policies 
rather 
than 

economic policies and restated 
Schuette’s ties to the Flint water 
crisis and lawsuits he filed to 
dismantle the Affordable Care 
Act. She promised to work across 
the aisle, citing a turbulent 
political climate.

“Bill Schuette and I couldn’t be 

more different.”

Environmental Issues
Water 
policy 
issues 
such 

as the Flint water crisis, the 
Detroit Public Schools water 
crisis, the Line 5 deal in the 
Straits of Mackinac, per- and 
polyfluoroalkyl 
substance 

issues and the Nestlé water 
deal saturated the debate on 
protecting 
Michigan’s 
largest 

natural resource.

Whitmer promised to create a 

department that would oversee 
contaminants and use of the 
natural resource and denounced 

the deal with Nestlé Waters North 
America, which would allow the 
company to pump 76,000 gallons 
of water per day from Michigan 
for $200 a year. She said Schuette 
is confusing recreational water 
policy with the fundamental right 
to clean drinking water –– a right 
she promised to uphold.

“It is appalling the state of 

water and the lack of safety in our 
water,” Whitmer said.

Whitmer also vowed to enter 

Michigan 
into 
an 
alternate 

climate alliance until the Trump 
administration enters the nation 
back into the Paris climate accord, 
and said it’s time for Michigan 
to lean into renewable energy 
sources.

Schuette said the government 

needs to make sure “solid science” 
is being used before formulating 
policy. Whitmer said Schuette’s 
views on the legitimacy climate 
change are different when the 
“cameras are off,” but Schuette 
expressed otherwise.

“Climate change is real and 

Earth is getting warmer and we 
need to make sure every nation is 
part of the solution,” she said. 

Education
Schuette said he plans to 

“grade” schools on a scale of A 
through F to give families more 
transparency in school quality, 
reward schools with incentive 
grants and create a literacy 
director to create a “culture of 
reading in Michigan.”

“When 
I’m 
governor, 

Michigan’s children will read,” he 
said.

Whitmer, 
who 
Schuette 

contended is captive to the 
“education 
establishment,” 

said she wants universal early 
childhood education, improving 
treatment of educators and to 
triple the number of literacy 
coaches. 
She 
said 
Michigan 

teachers are demoralized.

“It’s 
no 
wonder 
teachers 

support me,” Whitmer said. “You 
know why? Because I support 
teachers.”

In terms of tuition, both 

candidates agreed high education 
is currently too costly. But while 
Whitmer proposed solving this 
issue by creating a scholarship 
plan that would provide a debt-
free two-year degree, Schuette 
promised to focus on building up 
trade schools and apprenticeships. 
He said workers with trade skills 
are needed in Michigan, and their 
success can be bolstered by a 
stronger economy.

“The best approach for high 

school and college is a strong 
economy,” Schuette said. “We 
need to make sure that high 
school graduates are career-ready 
and workforce-ready.”

Whitmer also touched on the 

lack of workers in skilled trades 
and 
said 
Michigan’s 
“talent 

gap” contributed to Detroit not 
making the short list of locations 
for Amazon to build a second 
headquarters.

“We have to prioritize meeting 

the skills gap by making sure 
everyone has a path to a skill,” she 
said.

LGBTQ Rights
Recently, 
the 
Trump 

administration 
announced 

a possible legal definiton of 
sex that excludes transgender 
Americans, 
bolstering 
the 

debate regarding whether or not 
Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil 
Rights Act should be expanded to 
make LGBTQ people a protected 
class.

Schuette said he will make 

sure Michigan is a state free from 
discrimination, and that the best 
way to assist in creating equality 
is by making sure Michigan has 
a strong economy, reiterating his 
economic goals.

Whitmer said she supports 

amending 
the 
Elliott-Larsen 

Civil 
Rights 
Act. 
Citing 

lawsuits Schuette brought forth 
against gay marriage, Whitmer 
said Schuette would be the “most 
anti-LGBTQ governor Michigan 
has ever had.”

“I believe that it is time for 

Michigan to get on the right side 
of history –– this is 2018,” she 

said.

Immigration
Since 
the 
Trump 

administration 
took 
office, 

Michigan has seen a 75 percent 
decrease in legal refugee arrivals 
–– a national low. Whitmer said 
she sees this statistic as a negative 
product 
of 
fear 
mongering 

from Schuette and Trump. She 
expressed heartbreak over the 
family separation policy that was 
in effect over the summer and 
said she is running to combat the 
“nasty rhetoric” coming from 
Schuette.

“Michigan 
was 
built 
by 

immigrants,” she said. “It’s a 
strength that we have.”

Schuette emphasized border 

security, saying if he were elected, 
he would not allow sanctuary 
cities. 
He 
said 
Whitmer’s 

immigration views are extreme, 
and that if she were elected, 
Michigan 
would 
become 
a 

sanctuary state and that she would 
work to abolish Immigration and 
Customs Enforcement.

Marching Band alumni raise funds 
in support of survivors of assault

Following claims of harassment in SMTD, campaign diverts money from school

After the Michigan Daily 

published the story of a School 
of Music, Theatre & Dance 
student’s experience reporting 
a Graduate Student Instructor 
for sexual assault, University 
of Michigan Marching Band 
alumni are diverting money 
from donations to SMTD and 
MMB towards sexual assault 
awareness programs instead.

A 
GoFundMe 
campaign 

started last night at 7 p.m., 
and has already surpassed its 
goal of raising $1,972 for the 
Sexual Assault Prevention and 
Awareness Center at U-M. The 
donation total is growing as 
The Daily writes this update. 
At the time of publication, there 
are more than 412 shares on 
Facebook, 74 donations, and a 
total of $2,182 raised.

The 
campaign 
organizers 

decided the fundraising goal 
would represent the year that 
women were first allowed to 
join the Michigan Marching 

Band in 1972.

“We have always donated 

to the MMB hoping that more 
students will have the life 
changing experience that we 
had as members of the MMB,” 
MMB alumni Donald and Heidi 
Amadek wrote on the campaign 
page. 
“Our 
experience 
was 

not sexual assault. For an 
organization 
dedicated 
to 

music, a tone deaf response is 
unacceptable, and we hope that 
by donating to SAPAC that we 
can show the victims that we 
hear them, believe them and 

support them.”

As the GoFundMe trends, 

campaign 
organizers 
wrote 

they hope to put pressure on 
STMD and MMB to act in the 
best interests of students.

“Now, as alumni, we compel 

the MMB and SMTD to hold 
themselves 
to 
those 
same 

high standards and set an 
example for all members of 
the University of Michigan 
community that there is no 
place for sexual harassment 
and assault on our campus,” the 
campaign reads.

CATHERINE NOUHAN

Daily Staff Reporter

DEBATE
From Page 1A

Read more online at 

michigandaily.com

