Tynisha Brown says that as an advocate for children, “we have to teach peace for them to learn peace.” That was part of her message delivered Friday evening in front of Carrington Hall on the Missouri State University campus.
Brown’s speech, which was followed by remarks from President Clif Smart, concluded a candlelight vigil to promote peace and nonviolence, coordinated by the MSU Social Work Club. It came on the heels of grand jury decisions in Ferguson and New York not to indict white police officers in the deaths of black men.
“Sometimes teaching kids to go out and vote and to do things, to speak up, it matters. It changes what is coming up to be the next big thing in America,” Brown said.
Smart echoed those comments, calling attention to city council elections in April and a pending vote on Springfield’s recently revised non-discrimination ordinance.
MSU Pres Cliff Smart addresses crowd at MSU march pic.twitter.com/tEOdcBkb6u
— Lindsay Clein (@LindsayClein) December 5, 2014
“If we want to make a difference in our community so everyone is treated equally and people are judged just by merit the first thing we can do is be engaged in the political process,” Smart said.
He added that it’s hard to change the system if you’re not involved.
The candlelight vigil began at Missouri State’s Meyer Library, and proceeded east to Carrington. Roughly 50 people attended.
Smart said he was proud of the recent demonstrations that have taken place on campus to move the dialogue on race forward, and encouraged students to continue to speak out for what they believe.
“Even if you’re met with hateful comments. Even if on anonymous websites people say unflattering things. Even if there’s subtle pressure. It’s important on important issues that people have the courage to speak out and say their beliefs.”
He also called on people to speak up if they see injustice.
“Bystander intervention is important. Whether it’s a sexual assault situation… whatever it is if we’re there, sometimes just saying a word makes a big difference,” Smart said.
Tynisha Brown says she’s proud of her fellow students that have spoken out about this issue.
“It’s brought a lot of different cultures together as one to show that not only me as a black women or them as a black community realize that this is a problem; other people as well realize that this is a problem.”
The campus vigil took place around the same time an Occupy the Square demonstration was planned in downtown Springfield. The event was in solidarity with not only Ferguson but New York City, and Cleveland in protest of the recent grand jury decisions of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, and the recent killing of 12-year-old Tamir Rice.
Around 100 people had stated intentions of attending, according to event organizer Loren Booker.
By 5:30 p.m., about a dozen protestors had arrived with signs like “Nothing strengthens authority so much as Silence” and “Protect and Serve.”
Later on, demonstrators used a bullhorn to chant “Hands up, Don’t Shoot!” as they circled the Christmas tree at Park Central Square.
Demonstrators marching around tree in Park Central Square. https://t.co/UIbHmBDSmE
— Trevor J. Mitchell (@TJM613) December 6, 2014
