Author: The UTD Mercury
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Dhunki: a ‘spellbound melody’ of a cappella
UTD students travel across the country from California to Atlanta, taking stages bathed in warm lights. This a cappella group, a self-identified found family, doesn’t just belt notes — they blend worlds, creating a fusion of South Asian rhythms and Western harmonies. Dhunki A Cappella, the premier competitive South Asian fusion a cappella team at…
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Campus construction update: projects ongoing
Several roads and pedestrian paths will be closed from the beginning of June 24 to Aug. 16 because of new developments in construction, altering the usual trajectory of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Major construction projects have been underway since fall 2023 such as the Performance Hall, SOM Phase III and the new Student Success…
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Letter to the Editor: State-sanctioned violence, a chilling message courtesy of UTD
To the current Editorial Board and readers of The Mercury, One thing is clear to me after reading The Mercury’s recent coverage of the Gaza Solidarity encampment: administrators’ horrifying response on May 1 was undoubtedly a show of power. The university tries to justify sending in the state troopers with assault rifles and riot gear…
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Despite administration’s silence, community supports 21 arrested at ‘Gaza Liberation Plaza’
In a historic first, UTD administration called in law enforcement with riot gear to destroy the “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment while arresting 21 students, faculty, alumni and community members. Despite outcry across the UTD community, administration has not responded to demands to drop legal charges and disciplinary action against those arrested. Students for Justice in…
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Editorial: Meet the admin
State troopers slammed our own students and faculty into the ground, aiming to destroy not just their encampment but their spirit. The administration’s response to the “Gaza Liberation Plaza” on May 1 normalizes military-grade violence against student expression, leaving a bloody specter over all future student protests and expressions on UTD’s campus. Students arrested, administration…
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‘They are just kids!’
Assistant professor of art history Ali Alibhai rushed to protect student protesters from what he saw as a militarized police force armed with weapons and willing to harm the protesters gathered at the encampment on May 1. His efforts to de-escalate and protect students were quickly quashed as police attacked, arrested and later chained him. …
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UTD professor reflects on arrest, experiences of ‘UTD 21’
While attempting to reduce the tension between encroaching police and student protesters, UTD history professor Ben Wright was arrested alongside two other colleagues on May 1 at the “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment. Wright spent over 20 hours in Collin County Jail alongside the rest of “the UTD 21” — the 20 other professors, students and…
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Opinion: Hiding in plain sight — how administration obfuscates its intent
UTD administration had 21 students, staff, alumni and community members arrested, but not once has the administration pointed to a specific part of UTD or UT System policy that the arrested individuals violated. Administration has fundamentally failed to listen to its students and has instead established a grossly restrictive and prescriptive policy. The UTD Office…
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Issue 05 20 2024
05.20.2024 Despite admin’s silence, community supports 21 arrested at ‘Gaza Liberation Plaza’ | May 20, 2024 In a historic first, UTD administration called in law enforcement with riot gear to destroy the “Gaza Liberation Plaza” encampment while arresting 21 students, faculty, alumni and community members. Despite outcry across the UTD community, administration has not responded…