WASHINGTON, D.C. — After 384 hours of continuous protest, the Frist filibuster culminated Thursday afternoon as politicians and national media gathered in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol.
Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Jon Corzine (D-N.J.) joined about 50 Princeton students in filibustering against the so-called "nuclear option," a possible rule change proposed by Senator Bill Frist '74 that would reduce the number of votes needed to end a filibuster.
"Right now, as these students realize, the Constitution hangs in the balance," Schumer said to a group of reporters, students and onlookers gathered in front of the Capitol Reflecting Pool.
"What America is all about — checks and balances — could be greatly harmed if the nuclear option is invoked," he said.
The filibusterers spent more than 24 straight hours on the Mall, surviving a terror scare, generating considerable media coverage and perplexing hundreds of passing tourists and runners.
Traveling by chartered bus, students transported the Frist filibuster to the Mall early Wednesday morning after protesting outside the Frist Campus Center for two weeks. Though organizers initially expected the filibuster to last no more than a day or two, the event gained momentum as national news organizations flocked to campus and students signed up to speak at all hours of the day.
The trip — which organizers called the "Fili-bus-tour" — was funded by donations received through the group's website. The filibuster group has raised nearly $10,000 and the website says it is continuing to solicit donations for the "progressive movement" at Princeton.
The D.C. protest attracted several notable figures, including Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), who spoke at the filibuster Wednesday afternoon. A student also read a statement released by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi that commended Princeton students for their filibuster.
"With your tireless efforts, involving more than 400 speakers both in New Jersey and in Washington, D.C., you have helped young people understand the significance of the filibuster and see how fundamental it is to the legislative process," the statement read.
Thursday's press conference was intended to convince senators to vote against the proposed rule change regarding filibusters.
The Senate is a deliberative body and not one entirely based on majorities, Schumer said, pointing out that while he represents nearly 40 times as many people as a senator from Wyoming, they each receive only one vote.
"That's not a majoritarian body. That's a body that respects individual rights," he said.
"We will fight and fight and fight to preserve the checks and balances that America is all about, to maintain the tradition of the Senate, and to make sure that the America we know and love is not overruled by a petulant few," Schumer added.
Corzine joined Schumer in condemning the possible rule change and praised Princeton students for speaking up when others have been silent.
"I want to thank all of you from Princeton and all the students who are standing up, speaking out, doing the right thing, getting into the discussion this country needs to have," Corzine said. "And if you're missing an exam or two, that's okay too."
"It is time that we protect the constitutional checks and balances that are so vital to make this country great," he added.
New Jersey Representatives Rush Holt and Frank Pallone, who previously participated in the Frist filibuster while it was on campus, also spoke during the press conference.
Most of the audience was comprised of students from Princeton and D.C.-area universities who supported the current filibuster rules, though the event also attracted a group of about 10 students staging a counter-protest.
Members of the group, who refused comment for this story, carried signs reading, "Vote Now" and "Up or Down Vote."
24 hours in D.C.
Having not cracked a book for her 7:30 p.m. exam Thursday night, Frances Schendle '06, president of the college Democrats and protest organizer, decided to multitask. On Wednesday night, she filibustered from her textbook.
Appropriately, the reading concerned student activism, particularly student protests at Columbia University during the 1960s.
"Before this week, it would have seemed so radical to do what they were doing," Schendle said of the protests. "I've realized, though, that we're repeating something that was a very moving part of our country's history."
"[The Frist filibuster] really is a testament to the fact that a small group of people can really affect change in our country," she added.
Not that this change comes easy, Schendle admitted. "It's been an exhausting 24 hours. Obviously, sleep has not been flowing in large amounts."
Student filibusterers left for D.C. at 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning, passing students returning from post-Dean's Date parties at the Street.
Arriving at the National Mall around 9 a.m., organizers and participants set up their equipment at an area just south of the Capitol and were quickly met by questions from the media. Over the 24 hours they spent filibustering in D.C., students routinely participated in interviews with print and television journalists.
Two of the protest's organizers, Jason Vagliano '05 and Karen Wolfgang '06, appeared on the C-SPAN program "Washington Monthly" Thursday morning and fielded questions from callers across the country.
Terror threat
The Frist filibuster was temporarily relocated at noon Wednesday when a wayward Cessna headed toward the Mall put the alert level for the city at red and sent hundreds of people fleeing from the Capitol.
In a matter of minutes, the sounds of police sirens filled the city and officers were telling the filibuster organizers to move further from the Capitol.
Abandoning most of their belongings, students headed west about a hundred yards down the Mall. About 15 minutes later, the all clear sign was given and protestors were allowed to return to their campsite.
"We continued with the filibuster, it was fine, but it was definitely scary the first 15 minutes," Maylen Rafuls '07 said.
During the relocation, as well as during the bus ride down to D.C. and all through the night, the filibuster never stopped. Whether speaking into a microphone or bullhorn, shouting or whispering, students kept the protest going just as they had done in Princeton.
"It's been really amazing," Rafuls said of the nonstop protest. "I think people have really put up with a lot filibustering for two weeks and now in D.C."
Rafuls, who read "Don Quixote" during her time at the microphone, camped out with most of the other participants, using her down coat as "half of a sleeping bag."
"It wasn't bad," she said of her night on the Mall.
In over 24 hours in front of the Capitol, the Frist filibuster caught the attention of hundreds of tourists, runners and bicyclists who stopped by to see what all the talking was about.
"Anytime college student are involved in the political process, I'm pleased to see it," Roberta Finkelstein of Arlington, Va., said.
Her husband, Barry Finkelstein, echoed this idea. "It's great to see you guys coming down taking the initiative on this," he said.
Susan and Gary White, both of Arlington, said they heard about the filibuster on the news and wanted to show their support.
"I'm surprised that y'all would all come down to D.C.," Susan said.
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