Protesters demand end to racial profiling, brutality

Lansing - A small but energetic crowd gathered on the steps of the state Capitol and east lawn Saturday afternoon to protest racial profiling and police brutality.Demonstrators listened to representatives from the black, Latino, lesbian-bi-gay-transgendered and religious communities for three hours as they demanded change and cited specific cases of brutality.The demands included the passage of legislation to outlaw racial profiling in Michigan, which would allow officers who commit these acts to be prosecuted, the creation of a council for community control of the police and a call for the immediate end to police brutality and racial profiling.Demonstrators of various races and social classes came from across the state to participate in the rally.

Candidates square off tonight in SN debate

The four major-party candidates vying for two seats on the MSU Board of Trustees will meet in a State News-sponsored debate tonight. Republicans Connie Binsfeld and Scott Romney and Democrats Dorothy Gonzales and Cal Rapson will square off in the 90-minute forum at 6 p.m.

Safe Halloween entertains kids

All the freaks came out at night for the fourth annual Safe Halloween on Friday.The MSU greek system, along with the city of East Lansing and ASMSU, blocked off M.A.C.

Olin keeps U safe with free condoms

MSU has recently become flooded with condoms, thanks to “Condom-Nation,” an Olin Health Center program designed to make contraceptives more accessible to students.Dennis Martell, a health educator at Olin, said the program should cut down on the number of students having unprotected sex.“We’ve heard all the excuses - ‘I didn’t have one on me’ or ‘I didn’t have any money to buy one’ or ‘I didn’t feel like running down to the vending machine,’” Martell said.“We want people to have easy access to them.”The condoms have been distributed since the beginning of the semester and will continue to be given away throughout the school year.

Fraternity hosts Fire Safety Day

The sounds of fire engines, sirens and gleeful children filled the air at Fire Safety Day on Sunday at the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house.The East Lansing Fire Department teamed up with the Phi Delta Thetas and the Kappa Delta sorority to put on the event for the community.Bob Pratt, East Lansing fireman and co-coordinator of the event, said the day went fabulously.“It was a great day and we had a great turnout, not only from the community but the Phi Delta Thetas and the Kappa Deltas as well,” Pratt said.“There have been a lot of activities, the kids got to tour the fire truck and the ambulance and they all got a chance to spray a little water out of the fire hose.”Along with numerous activities for children, the firemen got a chance to pass along some key fire-safety knowledge, he said.“A working smoke detector doubles your chances of surviving a fire,” Pratt said.

Police briefs 10/27/00

Anti-stalking laws legality questioned

Michigan’s seven-year-old stalking law is being tossed about America’s legal system - its constitutionality is in question.

E.L. holds pumpkin walk

Cows, Winnie the Poohs, angels and devils filled the streets of East Lansing on Thursday for the 11th annual Great Pumpkin Walk.Hundreds of parents and children in costumes gathered on Grand River Avenue from 5 p.m.

DCL clinic helps students with low-income tax forms

The MSU-Detroit College of Law Tax Clinic has helped a lot of people file their returns since it opened in January, but as the program’s inaugural year draws to a close, those involved know they will provide their services to many more. The clinic offers free services to low-income taxpayers who need help with anything from filing returns to resolving conflicts with the Internal Revenue Service.

Graduate students elect new leader

The Council of Graduate Students is under new leadership.COGS officials elected Sam Howerton the council’s new president Wednesday night.

Web offers alternative to car lot

Three years ago it seemed odd to buy a car in pajamas and slippers at 3 a.m.But now that the e-commerce boom has hit the automobile industry and consumers’ garages, it isn’t even necessary to leave the house when shopping for a car.“It’s really about customer convenience,” said Leigh Morehouse, the Internet manager for Spartan Motor Mall, 5701 S.

McPherson presents global view to class

Professor Fayyaz Hussain says he does all he can to expose his students to life from a different perspective.And Thursday he tried to show his Global Diversity and Interdependence class an alternative angle by inviting MSU President M.

Red Cedar trash displayed to help change messy habits

Sludge-caked bikes, browned but previously white plastic lawn chairs, a soggy mattress and a rusted bed frame were just a few of the pollutants pulled from the Red Cedar River muck earlier this month by environmentally-conscious MSU students. And Wednesday afternoon, the items were showcased.

Local potters help the hungry

LANSING - For the 10th year in a row, Lansing area potters created more than 850 bowls to help feed the hungry.More than 800 people stopped by the Center for the Arts, 425 S.

Medical students practice drawing blood from classmates at workshop

Count Dracula isn’t the only one drawing blood this Halloween - first- and second-year osteopathic medicine students were after that red liquid too.The College of Osteopathic Medicine held its annual blood drawing workshop Wednesday in Fee Hall.

Police briefs 10/26/00

Freshmen scammed by fake salesperson

Amanda Smith is a little more skeptical than she used to be.Especially of those who approach the door to her dorm room with what could be perceived as a good deal.Smith, a Spanish freshman, and her roommate were bamboozled out of about $180 last month after purchasing several magazines from a man who said he was an MSU communication student collecting points to win an overseas trip to Australia.“In hindsight I guess it made sense (that it was a scam),” Smith said.

RHA, ASMSU allocate funds to student groups

The Residence Halls Association and ASMSU, MSU’s undergraduate student government, approved several allocations recently.

Officials ask for sign ordinance compliance

East Lansing officials are asking political candidates and homeowners to abide by a sign ordinance that limits where signs can be placed and how many are allowed in one yard.Lawn signs are a popular way for candidates to display their name and face to persuade voters.

State to improve Parkinsons care

The state’s premiere research universities - MSU, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University - will collaborate with major health care providers to improve the quality of medical care to in-state Parkinson’s disease patients.The Michigan Parkinson Initiative, which was announced Wednesday during a press conference at the Kellogg Center, enlists the help of the medical schools of the three universities, the Henry Ford Health System, Beaumont Neuroscience Center, St.