Student from this university wait outside of Stamp Student Union for their rides to Baltimore to participate in protests.
“No justice. No peace. No racist police.”
This was one of many rallying cries senior Nathan Brandli chanted Saturday during a demonstration in Baltimore to protest the death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray. Gray died April 19 after suffering severe spinal injuries while in police custody April 12.
Before his death incited demonstrations and rioting Monday — which resulted in a citywide curfew and Gov. Larry Hogan declaring a state of emergency in Baltimore — Brandli said he sought to protest peacefully and express his frustration.
“There was plenty of antagonism, understandably and rightfully so,” the African-American studies and government and politics major said. “But there wasn’t anything violent by any means.”
University Bloc — a branch of social justice grassroots collective Baltimore Bloc — organized another group of students from various student groups Wednesday for a protest at Baltimore’s Penn Station .
As an African-American Muslim from Baltimore with family in the city, junior kinesiology major Nana Barry said she felt compelled to return and speak out against police brutality.
“The ties to this situation are very close this time; it’s really personal at this point,” she said. “The fact that police brutality has come to the point where it has taken the lives of people — that hurts.”
And though sophomore community health major Urooj Fatima said she doesn’t fully support the actions of the rioters, some of whom have set buildings and cars on fire, she said she empathizes with them and understands their frustration as a community.
“A lot of these people have nothing to lose and they’re angry, and so, for them, it’s probably like, ‘Why not?’” she said.
Brandli said it is valuable to express discontent through demonstration because it’s the best way to inspire change in citizens, policymakers and government officials.
“You have to make it uncomfortable enough for people to care, unfortunately,” he said. “Society is very resistant to change and getting involved with things that are outside their immediate sphere.”
Groups on the campus such as Political Latinx United for Movement and Action in Society, the Student Labor Action Project and Community Roots are collecting goods such as water, snacks and prepackaged goods in the Nyumburu Cultural Center to be distributed to protesters and families because many Baltimore shops are closed.
Additionally, Community Roots will host a town hall Thursday at 7 p.m. in Nyumburu to encourage students to speak out against injustices, whether or not they agree with what transpired in Baltimore.
Barry said students are making history by protesting issues such as police brutality and racism, which have plagued the country for decades.
“The plight for black Americans is still the same,” she said. “We have moved up the ladder somewhat, but we are still experiencing an oppression that really ingrained in our society and ingrained in cities like Baltimore.”
