Sophomore string-theory major Edwin T. Corwyn of Scotia, N.Y., had a half hour to kill between two math classes on Thursday, so he founded the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Intifada Brigade, constructed a futuristic tent of carbon nanotubes, and draped it under a hastily scrawled paper banner reading, “Stop the Genocide,”
He thus became R.P.I.’s first and only Israel-Hamas war protester. While numerous colleges and universities faced large and sometimes unruly demonstrations this week, this upstate technical college located in Troy, N.Y., remained serene, at least until Thursday.
R.P.I. president Shawnee J. Butterwurm said she had asked the Troy Police Dept. and the State Police to “keep an eye on Corwyn in case he turns violent.” She said that though Corwyn had so far complied with the 114-point R.P.I. protest code, “I have a responsibility to the safety of the students and faculty who come here thinking they will not die.”
“I have ruled out violent tactics,” said Corwyn, “but if I am joined by irresponsible outside agitators who seek to turn my demonstration to their own wicked ends, rowdies and radicals from the tough slums of Albany and Schenectady, what am I to do?”
After ten minutes of chanting and marching, Corwyn said he had to go to his next class, and gathered up his books and other possessions. He admitted he was disappointed by the failure of other students to join him.
“I figured at the very least I’d get a girlfriend out of this,” he said. “But these are pretty serious students up here. They take the time to go to a demonstration, they expect the genocide’s gonna stop.”
No Mention of RPI’s 1st. Secretary, Katia, who was taking down Corwyn’s Chants …Then to her Astonishment she realized she had Laid Out a Perfect Ben Franklin Close! Stunned, she put aside her pen and paper and slowly joined Corwyn’s Demonstration and Eventually Becoming His Girlfriend.
Same old same old bull shit after 60 years; "joined by irresponsible outside agitators who seek to turn my demonstration to their own wicked ends, rowdies and radicals from the tough slums of"