NAACP stages march at FAU to support Mizzou

“When black and brown bodies are under attack, what do we? Stand up fight back!”

Students+with+FAUs+NAACP+held+a+protest+on+campus+last+November+to+support+the+students+at+Mizzou.+Right+now%2C+there+are+limitations+on+campus+as+to+where+students+can+and+can+not+protest.+Max+Jackson+%7C+Staff+Photographer

Students with FAU’s NAACP held a protest on campus last November to support the students at Mizzou. Right now, there are limitations on campus as to where students can and can not protest. Max Jackson | Staff Photographer

Gregory Cox, Managing Editor
November 12, 2015

A mass blur of black marched from the Boca campus Rec Center to the Free Speech Lawn this morning. It started with about 60 students, but by noon, there were 80.

Approximately 60 students, dressed in all black started a march outside of the campus Recreation Center to show support for black students at the University of Missouri. Max Jackson |Staff Photographer
Approximately 60 students, dressed in all black started a march outside of the campus Recreation Center to show support for black students at the University of Missouri. Max Jackson |Staff Photographer

Last night, the Florida Atlantic chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People started the hashtag “#FAUBlackOut” on Twitter, encouraging students to wear all black on Nov. 12 to show their support. The group also arranged a march through campus.   

The march was in support for protesters at the University of Missouri who are fed up with racism on campus, resulting in the resignation of the president and chancellor, and students receiving death threats.

At noon, students of all races met at the Rec Center for the march. Besides wearing all black, some brought posters saying things like “RACISM ISN’T DEAD” and “WE STAND WITH MIZZOU.”

President of the NAACP, junior psychology major Mario Lopez, said, “we stand by the students of Mizzou.” Although there is no apparent problem with racism at FAU, he continued, “you don’t see the blend on campus.”

Mario Lopez, the president of the NAACP, claps his hands as he begins chants such as “when black and brown bodies are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.” Max Jackson | Staff Photgrapher
Mario Lopez, the president of the NAACP, claps his hands as he begins chants such as “when black and brown bodies are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.” Max Jackson | Staff Photgrapher

A chant soon broke out (see video) — “When black and brown bodies are under attack, what do we? Stand up fight back!” the group yelled. “What side are you on my people? We’re on the freedom side.”

Student leaders such as Student Body President Kathryn Edmunds and Boca Campus Governor Christopher Ferreira showed their support for the cause, both posting about the march on their Facebook accounts,

“To the Black students and staff at Mizzou, we, students allies of Florida Atlantic University, stand with you in solidarity,” Edmunds said. “Wake up, get mad, do something about it. Acknowledge it. Take steps to change it.”

Kathryn Edmunds (far left), student body president stands with roughly 80 other students as the pose to show support for Mizzou. Max Jackson | Staff Photographer
Kathryn Edmunds (far left), student body president stands with roughly 80 other students as the pose to show support for Mizzou. Max Jackson | Staff Photographer

Vice President of Student Affairs Corey King was also encouraging.

“It’s always good when students show activism,” said King. “A college campus is an opportunity for students to engage in critical thinking and talk about those problems.”

Other campuses in Florida are showing support for Mizzou, such as Florida International with #FIU2Mizzou, and the University of Florida student body president with this letter.

Gregory Cox is the managing editor of the University Press. If you would like to contact him regarding this or other articles, email him at [email protected], or follow him on Twitter.