First Amendment Free Food Festival

On Constitution Day, Sept. 17, the University of Baltimore community participated in and helped to support The UB Post's inaugural First Amendment Free Food Festival (FAFFF) on Gordon Plaza.

The event was structured so that each person had the choice of receiving free food—the catch was that they must surrender all First Amendment rights, which are free speech, religion, press, right to assembly and petition. This way, students could get a glimpse into what life would be like without the basic freedoms to which Americans are accustomed.

Event "enforcers" were in the no-freedom zone to control the crowds and be sure the freedoms were indeed being yielded. Enforcers illustrated what life could be like under the tyranny of a dictator—in this case, event chair Scott Palmer, 3L and staff writer for The UB Post.

Some people, however, chose not to get involved.

Doc Lumpkins, 2L, refused to take part "as an act of protest. It's a good idea…but today I'm drawing the line."

Despite a handful of opposers, the event was successful—360 people participated and signed away their rights, and 200 event T-shirts were distributed.

"I am very happy with the turnout, especially with how many freshmen got involved and attended," said Nedra Cruz, publications design student and editor in chief of The UB Post. "I can't wait to do this again next year—it'll be even bigger and better. We'd like to get MICA involved next year."

The idea for this unique, interactive event was first done last year at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, Fla. FAU's newspaper staff was very supportive in making the event happen at UB's metropolitan campus.