ETSU’s Student Government Association President Pro-Tempore Brandon Johnson wrote a piece of legislation deeming the week of Nov. 9 through Nov. 13 Freedom Week.

While looking through the ETSU academic calendar, Johnson and an ROTC member realized that Veteran’s Day was not officially recognized by the university.

“This resolution is not saying that we should get Veteran’s Day off, but we should at least recognize it,” Johnson said. “I think it’s sad that it’s not on the calendar.”

Johnson’s legislation proposes to make Nov. 9 World Freedom Day in honor of those who are still being oppressed and celebrating the privilege that America has. It also coincides with the anniversary of the removal of the Berlin Wall.

“I am all for giving leniency on where the university puts the recognition — wherever they wish to locate it on website and whatnot — and making it flexible for the administration,” Johnson said.

The legislation was deemed an emergency by Johnson because Veteran’s Day is on Nov. 11.

The entire senate passed the legislation and supported the resolution.

“I think that these are really important things that we take for granted,” Johnson said. “Freedom is important, the tearing down of the Berlin Wall is important and our veterans are sure as hell important.”

The university is observing Veterans Day at 11 a.m. Nov. 9 at the Veterans Memorial hosted by the ETSU Department of Military Science, the Veterans Affairs Standing Committee.

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  • Emma Hammer

    Emma Hammer is a senior public relations major with a minor in English. Originally from Knoxville, Hammer decided to attend ETSU after being taken aback by the beauty of the campus. Emma has been with the East Tennessean for one year now. She covers student government and a variety of other topics.

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