More than 100 people gathered at Scripps Amphitheater in solidarity with students at University of Missouri to host speakers discussing the racial climate at Ohio University and across the country.
Students at the University of Missouri have made national news lately, as students go from celebrating university administrators stepping down for racist inactions to being in lockdown after threats of violence.
Students at Ohio University made the action to stand in solidarity with those students hundreds of miles to the west.
OU’s chapter of the NAACP organized an event at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to take a picture at Scripps Amphitheater to show their support for the students at Mizzou. The organization also encouraged OU students to use the hashtag #OUStandsWithMizzou.
People should not be faced with the decision to live to see tomorrow or go take a damn test. #OUStandswithMizzou
— Brittney (@brittculture) November 11, 2015
More than 100 people came out for the event, where about 15 people spoke out about the racial climate at OU and around the country.
We are here, standing beside you in Ohio. This is not something you will face alone. #mizzou #OUStandsWithMizzou pic.twitter.com/H29CAboKqn
— Black OU Students (@BlackOUtwitr) November 11, 2015
Jasmyn Pearl, a freshman studying journalism and the freshman representative of OU’s NAACP chapter, helped to facilitate the conversation and said she worked with other members of the NAACP to organize the event.
“This was a very good start, and it showed that people actually do care about what’s happening around the nation and on this campus,” Pearl said. “Prayerfully, hopefully, this doesn’t end, and people continue to share that support and that care these next few weeks as we figure out the next steps.”
Mark Brown, a junior studying mechanical engineering and the NAACP Executive Board Research and Development leader, said he kept up with the incidents that unfolded at Mizzou last night.
“I feel like we need to voice our opinions about the cause and effect of what can happen even here at Ohio University,” Brown said. “It can happen, and we just wanna inform students on it.”
I'll be at work, but #OUStandsWithMizzou go support!! pic.twitter.com/oCJonyQm9O
— Nia (@niaashlynn) November 11, 2015
Ryan Powers, a junior studying philosophy and member of OU's Student Union, said he came out to Scripps Amphitheater to stand in solidarity with the students at Mizzou, and he feels the demands that students at Mizzou are making are similar to the demands that the Student Union is making.
“It's important that we show the students at Mizzou that they are supported, and it’s important that we stand up to racism wherever its exists,” Powers said. “One of the biggest reasons I'm here is because we need to start addressing racism in every aspect including at Ohio University.”
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Brittany Mitchell, a junior studying political science and global studies and the commissioner of Black Affairs in Student Senate, said it is important to show solidarity because the same events could easily happen at OU.
“I encourage everyone to come and everyone to stay aware of things happening (at Mizzou) and be aware of things happening on our campus as well,” Mitchell said before the event began.
Not all of those in attendance were OU students.
Evan Young, campus minister at United Campus Ministry, said he came out out to the event because he “can’t not.”
“It’s really, really depressing to me and really, really apparent to me that, even now, even in 2015, even after everything we’ve seen and done and been, it’s still a revolutionary act to proclaim that black lives matter,” Young said.
OU President Roderick McDavis also made an appearance. He said he came because he was interested and concerned about what the students had to say.
“I’m in support of making our institution the best it can be for our African-American students and for all the other students, as well,” McDavis said.
— Brian Fogel contributed to this report
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