From News & Observer Published: Mar 28, 2006 12:30 AM
Modified: Mar 28, 2006 02:50 AM
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/422608.html
Frustrations boil at Duke
Anger is voiced at campus protest
Sage Amelia Asmus, left, and Sara Appel put messages for the Duke University lacrosse team on shirts.
Staff Photo by Harry Lynch
Anne Blythe and Jane Stancill, Staff Writers
Nearly 200 people gathered outside campus administrator offices Monday to express anger and demand action in response to a rape investigation involving the men's lacrosse team.
The incident has sparked outrage on and off campus about sexual violence, classism and racism.
"I am outraged that there's a silence. ... I am outraged that legal rights are used to quiet this issue," said Meenakshi Chivukula, a junior from Medfield, Mass.
On March 14, a woman told police that three men assaulted, raped and sodomized her at 610 N. Buchanan Blvd., a home leased to captains of the Duke lacrosse team. The woman said she and another woman, both exotic dancers, had gone to the house to dance for what they were told would be a small bachelor party.
But there were many more men there who, according to the victim's account to investigators, got excited and aggressive after several minutes.
A neighbor reported hearing one man at the party yelling racial slurs at the dancers, who are black. The victim told investigators that her attackers were white.
Two days passed before investigators executed a search warrant at the house. And nine days went by before all but one member of the lacrosse team were ordered to police labs for DNA testing. No charges had been filed late Monday.
"If it were black students accused of that, everyone would be in jail," said Charlie Dixon, a deacon at the Church of Apostolic Revival in Durham. "If it would have been a Duke University student who allegedly got raped by a sports team from N.C. Central University, all heck would have broken loose."
Duke President Richard Brodhead did not return a message Monday seeking comment.
'The DNA will talk'
In the grassy quad outside his office, students took turns stepping before a microphone. Some shook with anger and teared up as they spoke.
"If you see them in class, ask them who did this," said Serena Sebring, a graduate student.
Some students sported T-shirts that said, "Men's Lax, Come Clean." A poster said, "The DNA will talk, even if the cowards of men's lacrosse won't."
Students urged Duke officials to do more to pressure players into cooperating with police.
"Being a Duke athlete is a privilege, and that can be revoked," said Brianne Ehrlich, a senior from Denver.
Durham Mayor Bill Bell, who spoke with Brodhead by phone Sunday, said in a telephone interview Monday that he realizes that officials are dealing with allegations and that police have not completed their investigation. Still, he said, "I'm concerned about the code of silence that continues to prevail."
While lauding athletics officials for forfeiting two lacrosse games, Bell urged them to go further. "I think it would send a strong message to the community if they canceled the whole season."
Vigils and protests over the incident started over the weekend.
Sage Amelia Asmus of Durham said she joined the campus protest Monday because she felt for the alleged victim.
"That is not OK -- anywhere," Asmus said. "I don't care how much money you have and what [expletive] sports team you're on."
Lee Coggins, who lives near the house where the alleged attack occurred, expressed solidarity with the victim.
"The community has got your back," Coggins said. "We will not let this be swept under the rug. Duke cannot run away from this."
Staff writer Anne Blythe can be reached at 932-8741 or
ablythe@newsobserver.com.
