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Collaberative content, written, edited, and produced by members of the KAMP Student Radio
The Past Week In History
Written by: Kira McClure
Published: September 30, 2021
This week marks the 75th anniversary of the conclusion of the Nuremberg Trials, which convicted over 161 individuals for war crimes committed by Germany during the Second World War. Those convicted were responsible for some of the most heinous acts committed by humanity, their hands soaked with the blood of millions of innocent civilians. By the time the trials were over, 37 individuals received the death penalty, 12 of which were Nazi leaders directly responsible for the creation and implementation of the holocaust. (“The Nuremberg Trials.”)
The Past Week on Campus
Written by: Alex Ray Sanchez
Published: September 30, 2021
The 2020 election had the biggest voter turnout in American history. There was a lot at stake for a lot of people in an election that was coming off a summer of political activism, a pandemic that swept the world, and the undeniable fact that climate change is starting to impact us all in a very negative way. “The 2020 election featured the largest increase in voters….on record with 17 million more people voting than in 2016” (Fabina Jacob, “Record High Turnout in 2020 General election”, April 29th, 2021) This huge voter turnout also greatly impacted Arizona. For the first time since 1996 Arizona had turned blue. What exactly happened in Arizona to turn the state blue? will this momentum keep going for the Arizona Democrats? And what are we seeing on campus today that may help Dems keep Arizona blue?
In the 2020 election, several key factors had turned Arizona blue for the first time in over 20 years. One huge impact was the Latino vote, activism groups such as “Mission for Arizona” made sure to call Latino voters and make sure they were registered to vote. It was many activists groups like this that would call people, in general, to make sure they were registered, knew about early voting, and would offer to drive citizens to drop off ballots if they could not do so themselves. Another key to the Democrats' success in 2020 was the youth vote. “We estimate that young people turned out at a higher rate in 2020 than in 2016, and their impact – especially youth of color’s overwhelming support for Biden – was decisive in key races across the country.” (CIRCLE staff, “Election week 2020” Young people increase turnout, lead Biden to Victory”, November 25th, 2020)
I had spoken to Miles Stone Blakely, a University of Arizona student who is the president of a club on campus known as “The UA Young Democrats”, a group that is helping keep the youth vote going in Arizona with their on-campus political activism. Their primary focus “is on preparing the Wildcat student and faculty bodies to vote this upcoming election. We will be running many Voters Registration drives, and are holding events throughout the year to educate, inspire, and mobilize Wildcats on the issues and candidates that affect them most.” Miles went on to tell me “The UA Young Democrats are in their “Phoenix Rising” year,” said Miles “with COVID we were impacted heavily in terms of funding and membership. This year, we are looking to start a new and make a name for ourselves on campus” Miles also had this to say in regards to the 2022 election “UA Young Dems is committed to turning AZ even bluer come to the 22’ election. We believe that Mark Kelly will keep his senate seat and look forward to getting Wildcats out to vote…We believe in a bluer, more democratic AZ from 22’ and on”. With political activism groups such as “The UA Young Democrats” and many others to pop up around Arizona to secure the blue vote it seems that the Arizona Democrats will be able to keep their moment to go from the 2020 election into the 2022 election.
The Past Week Locally
Written by: Rhiannon S Cox
Published: September 30, 2021
Starting Thursday, September 30th, there will be five electric buses added to Sun Tran routes across Tucson with help from Tucson Electric Power. These buses run using electric batteries that will refuel at charging stations. This introduction is just the beginning of a collaborative effort between Sun Tran and TEP to reduce carbon emissions and switch to renewable energy for Tucson’s public transportation.
In order to celebrate these additions to Sun Tran, there was an electric bus launch event at Sun Tran’s administrative office on September 30th. The event allowed visitors to have the first ride on the buses as well as visit information booths that discuss what battery-electric buses are, what they do, as well as other ways to live a sustainable lifestyle. Additionally, the event hosted speakers such as Mayor Regina Romero, Susan Gray from TEP, and Steve Spade from Sun Tran. This launch marks the start of an exciting journey towards sustainability for Tucson!
The Past Week Internationally
Written by: Sophie Applin
Published: September 30, 2021
Taliban Continues Their Terror
With the Taliban back in power in power, many hoped this time would be different. A group that promised “security from lawless warlords,” when they first came took control of Afghanistan, the Taliban quickly morphed into an organization terrorizing the people they claimed to protect (NPR, 2021). For most citizens, the Taliban rule meant eliminating women’s rights hard-fought over the decades and ostracizing minority groups like the Shiite Hazaras (NPR, 2021).
It seems like not much has changed. On Friday, the BBC reported that the Taliban will continue with its public executions many had feared over two decades ago (BBC, 2021). Four bodies were hanged by cranes in the city of Herat, then three of the corpses were later moved to other areas of the city for better public display (AP News, 2021). The men were executed for kidnapping a father and son who were later retrieved by the Taliban. Their deaths stay in line with the organization’s recent messaging surrounding criminals.
In an interview with the Associated Press, co-founder of the Taliban Mullah Nooruddin Turabi said in justification of the resumed executions, “‘No one will tell us what our laws should be. We will follow Islam and we will make our laws on the Quran.’” (AP, 2021). These laws include harsh punishments for criminals of any kind. During the Taliban rule in the 1990s, amputation of the hand was a common consequence for thieves. According to AP News, the Taliban is still debating whether or not to resume executions and amputations in public (AP, 2021).
In the age of social media, this could have enormous implications. Use of the internet, which was banned during the Taliban’s previous reign in the 1990s, could extend the coverage of punishments across the world, something that many experts have taken note of. Thomas Johnson, a professor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA told the Times that “They’re going to use social media to tell the Afghan people what they need to do” (The New York Times, 2021). Control of the masses via social media is frightening to many Afghans, and the world. But some are fighting back. Hashtags like #DonotChangeNationalFlag and #DoNotTouchMyClothes are trending on Twitter and other social media platforms in protest of the harsh crackdowns and restrictions of traditional dress and expression of culture (The Washington Post, 2021). These protesters who are largely located outside of Afghanistan want to send a message. How effective that message will have yet to be seen. Judging by the recent executions in the Herat, it looks like Afghanistan has a long way to go before peace will be found again
For more information on the above stories visit the links below:
In History:
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. “The Nuremberg Trials.” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, 5 Jan. 2018, https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-nuremberg-trials.
Campus:
Fabina Jacob, “Record High Turnout in 2020 General election”, April 29th, 2021
CIRCLE staff, “Election week 2020” Young people increase turnout, lead Biden to Victory”, November 25th, 2020
Moore Greg, “Why is Arizona turning blue? Here are the best reasons, starting with Latinos”, 2020
https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/greg-moore/2020/11/04/why-arizona-turning-blue-answers-start-latino-voters/6163875002/
The Princeton Gerrymandering Project, “Arizona”, 2020
Local:
“Electric Bus Launch - Sun Tran %.” Sun Tran, 21 Sept. 2021, https://www.suntran.com/electric-bus-launch/.
“Sun Tran Rolls out 5 Electric Buses with TEP's Support.” Tucson Electric Power, 1 Sept. 2021,
International:
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