Chants of “no justice, no peace” and “black lives matter,” rang out on campus yesterday afternoon as members of the Black and Latino Student Union led a march through the academic quad to the Siena Peace Pole. The Standing for Solidarity Rally, which began inside the Sarazen Student Union, was held to encourage peace and unity.
Siena students, faculty, staff and administrators participated in the rally in response to the violent eruptions and protests that have been occurring in the wake of two deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police.
The shooting death of teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and the subsequent grand jury decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson sparked widespread outrage and demonstrations. The decision by a Staten Island grand jury not to indict New York Police Department officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner has continued to fuel protests. Pantaleo was seen on video putting Garner in a chokehold as he shouted, “I can’t breathe.”
During the rally, Fr. Sean O’Brien, O.F.M., associate director of Siena’s Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy called for prayers, love, peace and solidarity with people grieving and law enforcement officers alike. He encouraged those gathered to use the recent events as an “opportunity for all to find peaceful, just solutions.”
“Violence on Violence doesn’t really remedy anything,” said Standing for Solidarity Rally Organizer and Black and Latino Student Union President Yasir Nasir ’15. The psychology major said the rally was intended to raise awareness, encourage activity amongst Siena’s student body, and advocate for human rights and dignity for everyone.
“I hope this leads to more conversations,” said Valencia Constant, assistant director of Siena’s Damietta Cross-Cultural Center. Constant complimented BLSU’s commitment to advocacy and civic engagement.
