*Hundreds of students, staff and community members came out in support of a “Black Lives Matter” protest Thursday at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
According to the Lincoln Journal Star, the protest was launched by white UNL student, Trevor Obermueller, in the wake of protests at the University of Missouri and Yale University against racism.
In his comments, Obermueller called on the school to require a cultural sensitivity course for all incoming freshmen.
On Wednesday, Maya Evans, an African American junior and president of the Afrikan People’s Union on campus, shared her opinion about the #BlackLivesMatter rally in the Daily Nebraskan:
The rally has a goal, and the goal is not to skip class and protest for the fun of it. It’s also not a place for anyone to be violent; we want it as peaceful as we can get it. To me the goal is to educate those around us about what our minority students go through, what this movement really is and how to become an ally for minorities. This call for action will help students understand what the [Black Lives Matter] hashtag really means, how the school can do a better job at addressing racial issues and that racism does exist on this campus.
Below, tweets from the protest:
Very powerful speeches from #UNL students. very happy so many showed and such university support #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/JFcGAkCHx9
— Anthony Hawley (@anthonyhawley) November 19, 2015
#UNL Chancellor @Harvey_Perlman being interviewed by the media at #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/wEaBDM60Px — Ethnic Studies (@UNLEthnicStu) November 19, 2015
Inspiring student speakers at the #UNL #BlackLivesMatter rally. We hear you. We care. #NotAtUNL pic.twitter.com/slR8bM490r
— Rachel Larson (@RachelLarson03) November 19, 2015
#UNL #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/UPgBbCxn9W — Ethnic Studies (@UNLEthnicStu) November 19, 2015
Black Lives Matter pic.twitter.com/yBPrte8AC3
— Jena Mendoza (@mendozajena) November 19, 2015
It’s a movement #UNL #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/vLr4ENdxTo — Justiz //: (@NoJuiceJustICE) November 19, 2015
Danielle Young, cofounder of #NotAtUNL: “We can be an example to other universities…You are loved. You matter.” #UNL pic.twitter.com/IjJS3EOkoI
— Ethnic Studies (@UNLEthnicStu) November 19, 2015
Carnetta Griffin: “We are here to give a message that Black Lives do matter.” #BlackLivesMatter #UNL pic.twitter.com/IWZpqJ8rwo — Ethnic Studies (@UNLEthnicStu) November 19, 2015
Powerful stuff today at the #BlackLivesMatter protest. I’m proud to go to a university that recognizes racial injustices
— Jared Mikuls (@CubistPepe) November 19, 2015
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