WEDNESDAY | 12.10.2014 | MACEANDCROWN.COM | Vol. 57, Issue 12
Farewell to our editor-in-chief. E1
Dawit Samson | MC
HANDS UP, DON’T SHOOT! #757toFerguson brings national protest to ODU
Sean Davis Josh Whitener Copy Editor & Contributing Writer The past week saw a series of peaceful protests and events on campus, organized in solidarity with the national response to a number of recent police killings of unarmed black males across the country. Tuesday saw a “die-in” on the front steps of Webb Center. What started out as about 40 students grew to about 80 as people joined.
Most stood on the steps speechless while a small group of students laid down on the cold sidewalk in chalk outlines, symbolizing the many unarmed black Americans killed by police. Students carrying signs held stoic, earnest looks and only the sounds of observers could be heard. A quiet anger could be felt from the group of concerned students. The goal of the action was “to show support for Michael Brown and his family and to give awareness to the whole situation that’s going on in
Ferguson as well as to open the eyes to those who may not see what’s going on” said ODU student Kenneth Brandon. According to ProPublica, black male teens are 21 times more likely to be killed in a confrontation with police than their white counterparts. “Will I Be Next?” read one sign with a hole cut on the top for a face. Thursday saw another action during activity hour, “open mic unity night” organized by the Black Movement Council and the Floetic Movement, and a candlelight vigil
organized by SGA. The action on Thursday brought out local media as well as a number of high-level faculty observers including President Broderick himself. A group of about 100 formed a peace sign on the raised circle stage in front of the north entrance to the Webb. At 1:01 p.m., the entire group laid down on the ground and held a moment of silence for all of the lives unjustly taken by police. Despite worries by SGA and the ODU administration, as well as a number of inflammatory posts on so-
cial media by students, the protests at ODU have remained nonviolent and have seen no major confrontations. Student Engagement and Enrollment Services sent out an email to the student body after the Ferguson grand jury decision reminding students to uphold the school’s “core values of integrity, fairness, respect, community and responsibility.” SGA tweeted a message on Nov. 25 reminding students to act “in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct and ODU/Norfolk PD.”
Inside: The Winter Meltdown B1 The Mace & Crown
@maceandcrown
@maceandcrown