By NICK BUDD
Hays Post
The recent decision in Ferguson, Mo., has resulted in a new wave of civil rights activism across the country, but a group of students at Fort Hays State University looked at the issue another way. Approximately 20 students gathered on the corner of Eighth and Elm late Tuesday afternoon to protest the concept of injustice.
“We want everybody to understand that we’re not protesting the jury, decision in the case or the police,” said organizer Tre Giles, a senior organizational leadership major. “What we’re actually protesting is discrimination in itself. We want to support equality for all. There was no reason for so many shots to be fired and (Michael Brown) shouldn’t have been left in the street for almost four hours.”
Brown was shot Aug. 9 by a Ferguson police officer. Since then, a grand jury opted not to charge Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting, leading to a wave of protests in the St. Louis-area community and across the country.
Giles said the protest was put together in “less than a day” after one of his professors asked him if he was going to organize a protest. After advertising the event through Facebook on Monday night, Giles and several peers were standing under signs reading “Violence is not the answer” and “Unite 4 Justice” while the group chanted “Honk for justice, Honk for peace.”
“I’m really excited about the turnout but even if it was just me out here alone, I would do it by myself,” Giles said, noting the issue was “close to heart.”
Sophomore Aaron Simpson said he joined the protest after watching the looting and violence that followed the grand jury’s decision — and realizing there was a better way to deal with the situation.
“I knew there was a better way to protest,” Simpson said. “I am out here because this could have been me. (Brown) was 18 years old, I’m around his age, and I feel for his family.”
University and city police departments watched over the protesters, but later noted that they were there to protect the protesters.
“That was an opportunity for the community to see democracy in action.” FHSU Police Chief Ed Howell said. “Even though we had officers in proximity, they we’re there to protect (the protester’s) First Amendment rights.”
“It was well organized and I commend Tre for how the protest was carried out.”
