The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

The Independent Voice of Southern Methodist University Since 1915

The Daily Campus

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Association of Black Students Respond to Ferguson

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Association of Black Students make a powerful statement in support of Michael Brown. (Courtesy of Creston Lynch)

Nearly three weeks ago, a policeman in Ferguson, Mo. fatally shot unarmed African American teen Michael “Mike” Brown. In the aftermath, Ferguson citizens and protesters from around the country rose up against police brutality and racial discrimination, including Rev. Al Sharpton.

As the weeks have passed, police have used excessive force and have arrested reporters and protesters throughout the St. Louis suburb. Little has been resolved.

With some saying Brown had his hands up at the time of his death, over 100 Howard University students gathered to take a photo with their hands raised two weeks ago. Tweeted by junior Megan Sims, the photo quickly went viral, with over 14,000 retweets.

Earlier this week, the SMU Association of Black Students and National Pan-Hellenic Council staged a photo of their own at the Big Chill, marking their first public statement in support of Mike Brown. The photograph was supplemented by a video, in which participants chanted, “Hands up. Don’t Shoot.”

“The people shown in the photo are in full support of the peaceful protests happening in Ferguson and throughout the country to bring justice to Michael Brown. For years, Black people have been disproportionately targeted and profiled by law enforcement officials,” ABS political action chair Tyrell Russel, who organized the photograph, said. “In a system that claims ‘liberty and justice for all’, discriminatory behavior will not be tolerated. Black lives are valuable.”

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