BSU Organizes Unity Walk After Junior's Shooting

The Unity Walk was held during W.I.N Time April 17 and took place around the campus. An estimated 1,500 students joined in on the walk which made headlines and news coverage around the world.

“It’s one of the most powerful things I think I’ve seen in my four years as mayor,” Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas said.

Later that day, a press conference and rally was held at the Kansas City Police Department Headquarters with various state politicians, activists and the Yarl family's lawyer Lee Merritt, esq. The goal was to answer the press’ questions and to advocate for justice for Yarl.

“There are a lot of cases here in Kansas City, probably more than most areas in the region of cases of people who are shot by law enforcement, shot on the streets without accountability,” Merritt said. “Each one of those cases needs advocates. There are websites that list them all. The urban league is a good resource to connect with and each one of those communities; they need their stories elevated. I think that’s the best use of all the student energy and the numbers as well.”

While the case gained worldwide attention, the district kept their sights on supporting students by providing extra counselors to Staley High School and Nashua Elementary, where his brothers attended. They also directed students to teachers who were trained in restorative circles, according to superintendent Daniel Clemens, Ed.D.

On April 19, the Jazz band held their annual Java Jazz, typically a fundraiser for the band, but this year the funds were donated to Yarl’s church of 10+ years. The band also wore blue in support of Yarl.

BSU also held a town hall on April 26, and the goal of it was to spark important conversations, give students the opportunity to be heard and provide resources for families. They also held a card drive, collecting approximately 2,000 cards for Yarl, and the Asian Student’s Union held events making origami cranes for Yarl, collecting 1,000 paper cranes.