Alisha Nicks, Feleshia Cary, Ebony Jones, Sandra Carver and Brianne Griffin prepare signs to hold at today’s peace walk. (DM Photo/Cady Herring)
UM National-Panhellenic sorority Delta Sigma Theta is hosting a peace walk in support of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teen who was fatally shot by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 9. The walk will take place at 6:13 p.m. today in front of the Lyceum.
Ebony Jones, president of Delta Sigma Theta, said the event was organized in order to bring light to the community about the injustices African Americans are faced with every day.
“Even though they are hundreds of miles away, they still affect us in some way,” Jones said. “No matter where you are.”
Jones said some people may feel like they cannot trust law enforcement anymore, or law enforcement feels like they cannot trust the community anymore.
“We just want to bring light to that,” Jones said. “Things of this nature are happening, and do happen.”
Jones said she wants this event to be a way for them to educate people on how to help change these injustices. She said they want to speak out in a positive way and not negatively.
Jones said some people have not responded positively and think that is the only way they can be heard.
Jones said the university has received bad publicity recently due to certain issues, but thinks this walk is going to be very positive.
“It lets us know that there are problems and we can bring forth possible solutions and make campus a better place,” Jones said.
Jones said she feels the campus has taken a huge step forward after meeting with Chancellor Dan Jones. He told her to let the university know if they have any problems or ideas on how to make everyone feel like they are a part of the community.
Jones hopes this peace walk will help encourage those who are afraid to speak up or feel as if no one is behind them.
“Some people might feel like if they’re a minority here, their opinion doesn’t matter,” Jones said. “When organizing a march and seeing the support that we have, it lets you know that there are people that are going to be behind you and you can make a difference.”
Jones said she thinks people will participate especially since it is for a good cause and it will bring awareness to an issue that is relatable to the students.
“No matter the color of your skin, or the organization that you are in, we can unite as a campus,” Jones said.
Jones said they want justice to be served.
“We want to let people know that you do matter, and you will be heard and you do have rights,” Jones said. “You have the right to feel safe in your own community and you have the right to feel protected.”
Jennifer Stollman, academic director of the William Winter Institute of Racial Reconciliation, said the institute supports all events that are peaceful and call attention to current racist practices or historical legacies of racism.
“We are very happy to see a local response,” Stollman said. “What’s happening in Ferguson is a reflection of what goes on in our own hometown.
“Michael Brown is unfortunately a long line of folks including Trayvon Martin who have had over the top violent, racist responses to some action that was perceived by the individual who was holding a gun.”
Stollman said she thinks the campus is going to welcome the peace walk and is becoming more nationally and internationally aware.
“I think that our students who are coming back to campus show an interest and also a connection to the ways in which communities can work together,” Stollman said.
Stollman said students can relate to the case because they are around the same age as Michael Brown.
“I think many of our students regardless of their identity have run into perhaps ageism or racism when encountering authority,” Stollman said.
Stollman said she believes the campus is a free speech campus and the community is doing what it should by engaging in civil rights issues.
“This campus is becoming a model for discussing issues of race and discussing issues of class,” Stollman said. “We are also demonstrating that we are aware of our own historical legacy and we are working to educate and also remove oppression and create an equitable and inclusive campus.”
Donald Cole, assistant to the chancellor concerning minority affairs, said he cannot think of a better place than a university setting for discussions of such events.
“It affects our students, it affects our community, it affects our university and our state,” Cole said.
Cole said he expects this to be a positive experience for those on campus and has no doubt that we as a university have become more experienced in dialoging different issues.
“We don’t try to sweep anything under the rug,” Cole said. “We’ve decided to be a leader in race relations and other areas that are very difficult to provide leadership in.”
Cole said having this national story in a local setting affects the university because it is a community made up of people from all over the nation.
“When people hurt elsewhere, we hurt here,” Cole said.
University Police Chief Calvin Sellers said the University Police will make sure the demonstrators are both safe and make sure the walk is peaceful.
Sellers said Officers will escort the walk and asks students to be aware of the walk and to be mature in their reactions.
“Be respectful,” Sellers said. “They have their opinion and their purpose, and respect that.”
Jones said the peace walk will start at the Lyceum and continue in a big circle through the Grove and back to the Lyceum. Signs will be held during the walk saying #HandsUpOleMiss.
“We are not trying to start a riot or a rally,” Jones said. “It’s peace and we want to march for justice and bring awareness to the campus.”
-Logan Kirkland
