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Louis Gossett Jr. Passes Away at 87; Starred in ‘An Officer and a Gentleman’ and ‘Roots’
Louis Gossett Jr., a legendary actor known for his roles in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “Roots,” passed away at the age of 87. Throughout his career, Gossett showcased his talent in a variety of mediums, from films to television to music.
In the 1960s, Gossett also dabbled in folk singing and co-wrote the antiwar song “Handsome Johnny” with Richie Havens. His passion for music was evident in his soulful performances in Greenwich Village coffee houses.
His acting career spanned decades, with standout performances in films such as “The Landlord,” “Travels With My Aunt,” and “The Deep.” He continued to captivate audiences with his roles in “Diggstown” and “Curse of the Starving Class.”
On television, Gossett made over 100 appearances in various shows, from comedies like “The Partridge Family” to dramas like “Madam Secretary.” He tackled diverse roles, including a Columbia anthropology professor in “Gideon Oliver” and the presidential adviser Vernon Jordan in “Strange Justice.”
Despite his busy acting schedule, Gossett also prioritized his personal life. He experienced both the joys of marriage and the pain of divorce, ultimately leaving behind a legacy of love with his sons and grandchildren.
In a poignant Television Academy interview, Gossett emphasized the power of the arts in effecting social and political change. He believed that actors had the ability to reach millions and inspire change faster than anyone else.
Michael S. Rosenwald contributed reporting.
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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Protesters reach an agreement to dismantle encampment
Protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have agreed to end their pro-Palestinian encampment following an agreement reached with the school, university officials announced on Sunday. The encampment, which had been in place for two weeks, will be dismantled by Tuesday, marking the end of what was believed to be the last standing encampment at a Wisconsin college.
University officials had allowed the encampment to remain on a patch of lawn between Mitchell Hall and a busy thoroughfare on the campus’s southern boundary, opting not to involve law enforcement. This approach differed from the response at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where police were called in to remove tents after negotiations fell through. Despite initial efforts to disband the encampment, Wisconsin-Madison eventually reached an agreement with protesters to voluntarily dismantle the camp prior to commencement ceremonies.
Chancellor Mark Mone of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stated last Wednesday that the university had exhibited “the widest possible amount of patience and restraint.” However, he also cautioned that patience was wearing thin and hinted at potential action by the school. Following discussions with the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, the university agreed to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, condemn the destruction of schools and universities in Gaza by Israeli forces, and hold meetings with protest leaders regarding university investments.
Additionally, the university pledged to urge the Water Council, a Milwaukee organization of water technology companies, to sever connections with two Israeli government-owned entities, Mekorot and the Israel Innovation Authority. Chancellor Mone serves as the treasurer on the Water Council’s board of directors.
In return for these commitments, the protesters agreed to dismantle the encampment beginning on Sunday and completing the process by Tuesday. They also agreed not to disrupt the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for Sunday. In a statement, the protesters expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “After hard fought edits and careful consideration by the coalition, we determined we had obtained all possible benefits from the encampment.”
The resolution of the encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee represents a successful outcome of negotiations between university officials and protesters. By reaching a compromise that addresses the concerns of both parties, a peaceful resolution has been achieved, allowing for the encampment to be taken down without incident.