94.9 CHRW News - Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

Presented by Catalina Fernandez and Kyle Hutcheson

Written by Catalina Fernandez and Kyle Hutcheson

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Appeal Process Concludes for SRP Referendum - Verdict Tomorrow
London Slut Walk this Weekend
Sprint Sprint for Brain Tumours


Appeal Process Concludes for SRP Referendum - Verdict Tomorrow
Controversy has been surrounding the Student Refugee Program Referendum since it was first discussed. The Elections Committee of the University Students Council deemed the SRP referendum invalid based on alleged campaing infractions by the 'yes' side. Today, Anna Martin representing the 'yes' and making the official appeal, and Marino Felice, representing the 'no' side were given the opportunity to address 3 USC board members. Several members of the exec council were not able to be present because of conflicting interests with the appeal.
Students who wished to challenge the validity of the decision made by the Election committee were also given time to voice their concerns.
One of the concerns of democratic systems is fair representation. The Elections committee was not present at the hearing because of the potential influence over the decision-making process and because their reasons were already reported in the official report. Ely Rygier, one of the members of the executive council, was pleased that both sides of the appeal had left feeling that they had a fair and democratic representation.
Regardless of the outcome of the appeal, Martin is happy to learn from her practical experience in student politics with SRP.
Getting involved and making a difference, means getting the most out of your university experience.

London Slut Walk this Weekend
On Sunday, thousands met in Toronto to participate in the Slut Walk, organized in reaction to comments made by a police officer which implied that women could avoid rape by not wearing slutty clothes. A small organizing committee in London headed by the Amazon Collective, a local pro-woman action group, and VDay Western, got together to organize London's own Slut Walk in solidarity. Organizer and UWO student Adrienne Bertchtold says the walk is about changing the conversations we have about rape in our culture.
For their walk, the organizers hoped to include local police, unlike the walk in Toronto.
She added that the walk is open to all who experience slut shaming, regardless of gender identity and that particpants can wear whatever they want.
A poster and t-shirt making event is happening in anticipation of the walk this Saturday from 2 to 4 pm at the East Village Arts Co Op. The actual march takes place this Sunday April 10th starting at 12 noon in Victoria Park. For the full length interview with Adrienne including a discussion about what shaming is and her take today's Gazette editorial about the Slut Walk, tune in to CHRW News in Review tonight at 6pm.

Sprint Sprint for Brain Tumours
Many Canadians don’t realize how common brain tumors can be. The Spring Sprint is a Fundraising event that will be going on here in London . There are many teams raising money to find a cure. Andrew Kaszowski a member of Londons rowing club started a team for the Sprint with his rowing club and they have raised almost 800 dollars. Within Andrew’s extended circle of friends and family, almost 15 people had or have a brain tumor including one of his rowing club members. This is just one of the many stories each team will be walking, running or jogging for.
Megan Winkler the Marketing and Communications Specialist for the Brain Tumor Foundation of Canada said that every brain tumour is different and there’s always a way in which others can help.
The Spring Sprint will be going on on April 16th at 10am in Springbank Park to register go to www.braintumor.ca

World Curling Federation Coverage
CHRW's Doc Palmer and Alan Adamson are in Regina today covering the World Curling Federation championships.