9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19.
Focus: Educational Justice: Creating Awareness and Challenging Inequities Within Our School System.
Workshops and children’s activities. Lunch provided.
Details: visit http://studentaffairs.vancouver.wsu.edu/student-diversity/mlk
Carrying hand-lettered signs that read “Black lives matter” and “We the people,” about 75 students, staff and faculty gathered in front of the library at Washington State University Vancouver on Wednesday to speak out about police treatment of black men.
The Justice for Black Lives Rally is one of many organized at college campuses and public squares across the country in response to a grand jury decision to not indict a Ferguson, Mo., police officer in the shooting death of an unarmed black teen.
“We are wearing black clothing to respond to all the black lives lost to police brutality,” said student Cetara Davis, who stood on a bench to address the crowd standing under a crimson WSU Vancouver awning as rain pelted the campus.
Davis is one of the students who organized the rally through the campus Student Diversity Center and a new campus group, Black People United.
Isaiah Miller, 20, a junior majoring in hospitality business management, took Davis’ place on the bench.
“I am going to read names of some of the unarmed black men killed by police brutality,” he said.
After he read the names of 42 unarmed black men killed by police since 2010, he said, “I’m a black man on this campus of predominantly not color. If you would join me in taking a moment of silence for these fallen brothers, I would appreciate it.”
Bola Majekobaje, adviser to the chancellor for equity, diversity and community engagement, said, “My brother’s life matters. My nephew’s life matters. The lives of black students I work with matter. It matters because they are human. Black people are human. Black lives matter.”
“As a banner, ‘Black lives matter’ is a movement to change the material condition of the world,” said student Sky Wilson, who nodded toward the banners and wore a “Black lives matter” pin.
Cynthia Cooper, who holds a doctorate and teaches in the molecular biosciences department, addressed the crowd about how black people are often treated in stores.
“When you see a person of color in a store, do you assume they are stealing?” Cooper asked.
Next, Davis led the group in marching to the Student Diversity Center.
“What do we want?” student Esmy Farias shouted.
“Justice!” the crowd responded.
“When do we want it?” Farias shouted back.
“Now!” the crowed responded.
When the group reached the Student Diversity Center, many posed for a photo to be uploaded to social media. Then most of the people dispersed.
“The core message is that black lives matter,” said Miller. “Even though we’re a long way from Ferguson (Mo.), it still affects us. Making change in society is important to everyone.”
About 15 students entered the center and discussed the rally. For many, it was their first.
