March for Change and Diversity
200 Alabama Students march for diversity and free speech from the Ferguson Student to Rose Administration Building in response to ‘Dean of Students’ resignation.
“This march was meant to empower students and to let them know your voice is so much more powerful than you believe ”
Tuscaloosa, Ala—
Alabama Students marched for diversity and free speech from the Ferguson Student Center to the Rose Administration Building in response to the ‘Dean of Students’ resignation. While students marched across campus to the Rose Administration Building, they chanted, “change is now, and we will not be silenced, what do we want, change, when do we want it, now,” the student participants, said.
As the students arrived at the Rose Administration Building, Stuart Bell, President of the University of Alabama, was standing in front of the building. “I appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule, you all have my pledge that we will take this and look at providing action items as we move forward,” President Bell, said. Bell then re-entered the Rose Administration Building without listening to Farrah Sanders letter to the administration and students. The letter discussed student concerns regarding the first amendment, racism, and resolutions for change. “We require diverse representation and transparency for the hiring process of administration, faculty, and staff, this can be resolved by having a monthly meeting with student leaders on campus,” Sanders, the speaker for the march, said.
“Desta and I just wanted to organize the march because the situation uncovered… issues for students of color on this campus that we don’t talk about and when we want to talk about it administration is not that accessible,” Sanders, said. In reference to the former ‘Dean of Students’ Jamie Riley resigned the day after a Breitbart News article releaseregarding his twitter account. The tweets mentioned the American flag, racism, and the police. Dr. Riley deactivated his twitter account a few days after his resignation.
Some of the student participants are concerned about their first amendment rights on what they can or cannot say on campus. “Regardless of his authoritative position, he shouldn’t have been faulted for upholding his first amendment right as an American citizen,” Alexus Parks, a student, said. Students who attended will strive for changes on campus and will let their voices be heard. Sanders said she wants administration, faculty, and staff, to listen to our resolutions and know that change is necessary on our campus.