Student Paper Celebrates First Amendment

‘Live Free or Eat Free’ Event Set for Feb. 25 on Campus

MELBOURNE, FLA. — The Crimson, Florida Institute of Technology’s student-run newspaper, will host the fourth annual First Amendment celebration on campus. The event, called “Live Free or Eat Free,” is Feb. 25.

The free, public event has two parts: a student demonstration and a keynote speech.

The first part takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the lawn behind the Crawford building next to University Boulevard. Participants will receive a free meal—a slice of pizza from Old School Pizza or a sub from Jersey Mike’s – in exchange for their First Amendment rights: They won’t be able to choose which type of food they get, or be allowed to sit with their friends, talk about their favorite topics, or practice their religion. If the government passes an unjust law, students have no right to petition.

The second part will be a keynote speech by Bob Gabordi, the recently hired executive editor of Florida Today. Gabordi’s speech will be at 5 p.m. in the Olin Life Sciences Building, room 130. Gabordi is a 35-year veteran in the journalism industry, serving most recently as executive editor of the Tallahassee Democrat.

“I can’t think of more important and fundamental rights than the ones protected in the First Amendment,” said Ted Petersen, a communication professor at Florida Tech and advisor to The Crimson. “And a great way to be reminded of those rights is by experiencing life without them.”

The event is sponsored by Old School Pizza, Jersey Mike’s Subs and the Florida Tech School of Arts and Communication.

For more information, contact Petersen at (321) 674-7201 or tpetersen@fit.edu, Crimson editor in chief Rebekah Duntz at crimson@fit.edu or visit http://crimson.fit.edu.

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