Good morning Her Campus! With a break-neck news cycle, there is no possible way for you to stay on top of every story that comes across your feeds—we’re all only human, after all.
But, life comes at you fast. So grab a cup of coffee and settle in for this quick and dirty guide to stories you might’ve been sleeping on (like, literally. It’s early.)
Black Lives Matter Activist Is Shot and Killed in New Orleans
Black Lives Matter activist Muhiyidin Moye was shot and killed while riding his bike on Tuesday morning, the New York Times reports. 32-year-old Moye previously gained notoriety for being caught last year on a live news broadcast running across police tape and grabbing a demonstrator’s Confederate flag in Charleston.
Moye was found on the street bleeding from a leg wound early Tuesday morning. He was taken to the hospital for treatment, but later passed away. As of Wednesday night, it is unclear if Moye was intentionally or accidentally shot.
Protester jumps barricade and attempts to get Confederate flag from man #chsnews pic.twitter.com/hTBql8qS9Z
— Ray Rivera (@RayRiveraChs) February 22, 2017
Nancy Pelosi Gives Eight-Hour Speech to Force Immigration Votes
The Washington Post reports that House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi delivered a speech pleading for Republican action on immigration for more than eight hours. Pelosi’s speech is now the longest read by any House of Representatives member in at least a century.
Pelosi began speaking soon after 10 a.m., calling for assurance of a group discussion on a crucial immigration bill. She began her day by asking aides earlier that morning to collect personal stories from DREAMers and gather Bible quotes. She completed the entire speech while standing, fitting the requirement that she couldn’t stop her monologue to sit or use the bathroom.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi spoke for more than 8 hours about the DACA program, setting the record for the longest speech on the House floor https://t.co/q4bb2comuI pic.twitter.com/DenkgYj4Zy
— CNN (@CNN) February 8, 2018
Gay Olympian Turns Down Meeting With Vice President Pence
CNN says that U.S. Olympic figure skater Adam Rippon reportedly turned down a meeting with Vice President Mike Pence after criticizing the politician’s view on gay rights in a USA Today interview. Rippon, one of two openly gay U.S. Olympic athletes, first slammed Pence in the January interview for being the leader of the official U.S. delegation at the Olympic Opening Ceremony on Feb. 9. In response to the news, Rippon said, “You mean Mike Pence, the same Mike Pence that funded gay conversion therapy?”
A spokeswoman for Pence negated the comments, saying, “Despite these misinformed claims, the vice president will be enthusiastically supporting all the U.S. athletes competing next month in PyeongChang.” Following the statement, a USA Today exclusive reported that Pence’s staff asked for a discussion to be held between Rippon and the vice president, but Rippon declined.
Pence’s office denied that there even was a request for a meeting. “The vice president’s office did not reach out to set up a conversation with Mr. Rippon,” said Pence’s communications director Jarrod Agen. “As we’ve said before, the vice president is supporting all the U.S. athletes in the Olympics and is hoping they all win medals.”
VP Mike Pence was so stung by Adam Rippon’s criticism that he tried to set up a conversation with him. Not backing down, Rippon refused. My @usatodaysports exclusive on the bizarre battle between the VP of the United States — and a figure skater. https://t.co/N1ti0xdIXf
— Christine Brennan (@cbrennansports) February 7, 2018
What to look out for…
New York Fashion Week kicks off today, so if you’re a fashionista, you better start following those social media hashtags now. We may not all be VIPs with access to a fashion show’s front row, but Instagram will luckily help us feel included.