Correction: Changes have been made to clarify quotes published by the Viking.
A Planned Parenthood representative canceled LBCC’s domestic violence workshop due to the presence of a Viking News reporter on Wednesday.
Emma Lloyd, an LBCC journalism student and staff writer for the Viking News, was trying to cover the workshop for a class assignment.
The event, which was supposed to be held in the Black Student Success Center, was open to the public and all information was available on the LBCC website.
Mari Santoyo, a student at the event, expressed her frustration over the representative’s choice to cancel the presentation.
“Honestly, it’s selfish and ridiculous,” Santoyo said about the Planned Parenthood representatives decision to cancel the event. “Be a fucking adult.”
The Planned Parenthood representative who spoke at the workshop told Lloyd she was not allowed to shoot photos, mention Planned Parenthood, or get interviews from the event.
“I’m really upset. I feel sorry for the people who were there. Honestly that woman needs to get some help,” Santoyo said. “There’s no way she should’ve stopped a domestic violence workshop because of her mood and her stance on the press.”
Erainia Freeman, the dean of student support services, was called in by the Black Student Success Center success coach Jordan Hands.
Walter Hammerwold, the Viking News advisor, was called and had an animated phone conversation with both Hands and Freeman.
The Viking reached out to Hammerwold, but he declined to comment.
After the phone call between Hammerwold, Hands, and Freeman ended, Lloyd went to the event and shot photos with Hammerwold’s permission.
After the Viking began taking photos of the event, the Planned Parenthood representative paused the workshop to take a 10 minute intermission.
“There were so many disruptions,” the Planned Parenthood representative said while looking at Lloyd.
After the workshop reconvened, the representative decided to cancel the event altogether.
“We’re going to decide to cancel the event and reschedule it because I’m just in a really bad mood now and I think I should be in a good mood to give this presentation,” the Planned Parenthood representative said.
“I wanted to learn about domestic violence and how I could help others,” said Christian Grant, another LBCC student who attended the workshop.
Although Grant was disappointed about the workshop cancellation, he was understanding about the decision.
“I think having a reporter come and take photos and get interviews while talking about domestic violence can make people feel uncomfortable and judged. I totally understand why they were hesitant,” Grant said.
Joseph Polanco, the Healthy Viking Initiative activities coordinator, was unaware of what occurred at the workshop.
Polanco expressed that had he been at the event, he would have spoken to the representative to ensure the Viking could cover the event.
“It wouldn’t have happened if I had been there,” Polanco said about the incident.
Viking News has encountered a number of incidents where Polanco attempted to turn students away and told them not to take pictures.
Cain Carbajal, co-editor in chief of the Viking News, said this is not the first time student reporters have been turned away from on-campus events.
“It’s ridiculous that the school keeps doing this and it’s taking away from students’ learning opportunities,” Carbajal said.
The Viking News is waiting on a statement from Freeman.
Associate Director of Communications and Community Engagement Stacey Toda did not immediately respond to the Vikings phone call and was in a meeting when she was reached out to for comment.
Superintendent-President Mike Munoz was not immediately available for comment.