WCU students see human rights the most important issue in this elections

Story co-written with Nicole Ellison and Nate Hadley In late August, WCJ surveyed around 40 WCU students on their views surrounding the 2020 Presidential Election, where it was found that human rights is the most pressing issue facing them today. WCJ interviewed select students to dive deeper into what human rights issue matters the most […]

Sylva leaders move to address statue issue

By Dave Russell Originally published in The Sylva Herald on July 30, 2020.  The decision to remove the Confederate monument on the Courthouse steps overlooking Sylva belongs with Jackson County and the state. That didn’t stop Sylva’s town board from making its feelings known Monday by 3-2 vote approving a resolution asking county commissioners to […]

Monumental issue: Debate over statue draws varied perspectives

Originally published in The Sylva Herald on June 25, 2020.  As signatures increase on dueling change.org petitions – one to remove Sylva’s Confederate monument and one to leave it alone – and the number of marchers grows, government officials and others have responded to the issue. Sylva has seen a vigil and two marches supporting […]

Community again debates monument

  Originally published in The Sylva Herald on June 18, 2020.  He stands sentinel over Sylva as silent as a tomb, but the Confederate soldier statue on the Courthouse steps has set tongues to wagging and fingers to typing. Dueling petitions about the monument have sprung up on change.org, a website used to draw support […]

Students & faculty protest to bring awareness to racial tensions at Western Carolina University

A group of protesters gathered at Western Carolina University staged a silent protest to bring awareness to racial tensions on campus. WCU community standing with Black Lives Matter, April 4, 2016. Photo by Alec Simkiss. A group of about 30 to 40 people gathered around the fountain with hand-made signs on Monday evening, April 4, writing […]

Students protest police brutality, remind campus that black lives matter

Students organized protests at Western Carolina University on Friday as controversial Grand Jury decisions have sparked a national debate that has made its way to Cullowhee. Watch the full report below. Connor Kick contributed to this story.