enene er a ee Pe gp ee YET 2 RE = hn RINE RE | survived Boobquake 2010! Protest becomes little more than a spectacle at VAG—the way it was intended Kristina Mameli news editor onning their finest and most D cleavage-revealing clothing April 26 at the Vancouver Art Gallery, female protestors gathered in response to ignorant, albeit entertaining, remarks made by an Iranian cleric the week before. “Many women who do not dress modestly... lead young men astray, corrupt their chastity and spread adultery in society, which (consequently) increases earthquakes,” the cleric, Hojatoleslam Kazem Sedighi, was quoted by the Iranian media as saying. . Inspired by Sedighi’s comments, Purdue University of Indiana student Jennifer McCreight, 22, decided to conduct an experiment to test the scientific validity of his claim. And thus, Boobquake was born. The event encouraged women worldwide to exercise their right to dress immodestly as a tongue-in-cheek form of protest. The event rapidly grew on Facebook, nearly 214,000 guests confirmed on Facebook worldwide. Though it was only intended to promote sceptical humour and mock the entire situation, the Internet rhetoric rapidly became social commentary on women’s rights in Iran. Though that’s not how it was intended. In a recent post on McCreight’s website, she says she never intended to start such dialogue. “I’m just a feminist who likes to promote sceptical thinking and whose idea accidentally started important discussion.” McCreight later posted the results of the experiment: “Our provocative dress didn’t really seem to affect the frequency of earthquakes. There were 47 earthquakes on the 26", which falls well within the 95 per cent confidence interval for number of earthquakes (about 0 to 148). So did our cleavage/thighs/ankles/hair increase the number of earthquakes? No.” Yes, apparently even the 6.5 magnitude quake that shook Taiwan on April 26 was well within the normal range. Back at the VAG, it seemed that more voyeuristic men appeared that actual supporters. College Wrap-Up | By Kristina Mameli - Tri-City all candidates meeting On Tuesday, May 4, from 7-9 p.m., the David Lam campus will host an all candidates meeting for the upcoming Coquitlam by-election which takes place May 15. An introduction of the candidates: Brian Babcock, Ralph Banni, Owne Coomer, Massimo Mandarino, Neam Nicholson, Terry O’Neill, Andy Shen and Andy Wickey will be followed by a question and answer period. Registration is not necessary, but is encouraged: http:// www .tricitieschamber.com/promote/event-registration-form/ Coquitlam transportation forum The first workshop in which residents of Coquitlam may voice their opinions on transportation issues in the city is this Wednesday, May 5. From 6-9 p.m. at Coquitlam City Hall, topics such as the Evergreen Line are being openly discussed in the first of a series of public meetings. Up for discussion will also be the proposed stop at Douglas’ David Lam campus. The public workshop is designed to gather suggestions as part of a Strategic Transportation Plan for the city and will include guests such as former B.C. premier Mike Harcourt. Refreshments will be served. Registration is required and can be done by calling 604.927.3500 or by emailing transportationbplan@coquitlam.ca. Is there an end to the UVic bunny problem? University of Victoria discussing how to control their rabbit population By Tanya Colledge, Staff Reporter he over population of rabbits found on the grounds of the University of Victoria has been a unique trademark to the school for many years. But the increasing and uncontrollable population of over 2,000 to control the budding population of campus bunnies—all failing to remedy the situation in an effective manner. After having exhausted all other options, the University has decided the only solution is to remove the creatures from the campus through euthanization. these stories, explaining that this suggestion would be unsanitary and very difficult to carry through. The facilities department at the University is, however, in the midst of putting together a rabbit management plan to be incorporated by June, in hopes of reducing the population to a sustainable and controllable amount. bunnies has now begun to Landscaping that has taken decades and millions of dollars to create is being They are currently looking be a problem not only to destroyed at an estimated cost of $100,000 over the past three years. into a vasectomy program the campus, but also to the for the University’s male students. But although the destruction caused by these rabbits through a Victoria veterinary clinic, as well Descendants of pets abandoned by families unwilling to care for them, the UVic rabbits have buried burrows in the sports field and surrounding lawns, and littered the campus with feces. Landscaping that has taken decades and millions of dollars to create is being destroyed at an estimated cost of $100,000 over the past three years. People have been injured stumbling into the holes the rabbits have dug, have been bitten trying feeding them and have even been in car accidents trying to swerve their vehicle out of the path of a rabbit in the parking lot. The University has invested thousands of dollars on projects over the years in an attempt 4 animals around campus is undeniable, many students, faculty and neighbors have taken a strong opposing stance to the killing of these rabbits— holding rallies, sit-ins and protests to advocate their views. Groups of supporters such as The Rabbit Advocacy Group of B.C. and Save the UVic Bunnies, have accused the University of secretly killing the rabbits by placing “poison boxes” out on the grounds at night—accusations that have all been denied by the facilities department. Rumours have also begun to circulate that the UVic bunnies could be killed, their meat used to feed Victoria’s homeless population at local soup kitchens. But local shelters have openly denied as other humane options to deal with the problem.