We Are All UVa

This morning Martese Johnson emerged with a head injury requiring 10 stitches.

He was brutalized by Virginia ABC law enforcement outside of Trinity Irish Pub. His face was bloodied. His body was bruised.

Outside of the doors of Trinity Irish Pub, a mass of University students bore witness to the officer’s animalistic, insensitive, and brute handling of Martese. He was left with his blood splattered on the pavement of University Avenue.

Today, we are reminded of the gruesome reality that we are not immune to injustice; as University students, we are not impervious to the brutality that has reeled on news cycles around the country. We have marched and shouted that we are Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown, but the proximity of this morning’s brutality to a member of our community has deepened that wound. It is no longer happening only on national television--it is a reality here and now at the University of Virginia that we must face as a collective.

After Martese was denied entry to the bar, he found himself suddenly flung to the ground. The brutish force used resulted in his head and bodily injuries. His treatment was unprovoked as he did not resist questioning or arrest. In confusion, with blood painting his face and creating a pool on the bricks of the corner, he yelled out for mercy.

Though he lay bleeding and crying out, officers continued to hold him to the pavement, pinning him down, twisting his arm, with knees to his back until he was handcuffed.

As students pleaded with officers to lift Martese from the ground they were pushed away, and some were even handcuffed and threatened with possible arrest if they did not leave the scene.

We demand there be a swift and thorough investigation on the state, local, and University levels. We have seen what happens at the University when we allow problems we have long known exist to be handled quietly, so we will not be quiet. We demand noise from each other, noise from professors, noise from administrators. Martese, like any other student at this university, like any other person in this country and in this world, deserves more than our uproar: he deserves follow through and intentional action.

Look forward to a follow up email regarding further plans and actions.

Sincerely,
Concerned Black Students

Photo taken by Marshall Bronfin|Cavalier Daily

Still want your photo taken?

The Nursing School Diversity Committee will be taking photos in Claude Moore Nursing Education Building April 23 & 24 from 12-2pm!

UVa Students Respond to Anti-Gay Protest



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlBw3E35YVo

University of Virginia Students Surround Anti-Gay Pride Pro

The photo series was just the first step-- we want to transform all that energy, love and support into action to transform the formal and informal structures at UVa to be a more inclusive, accessible and safe community.

Come out to the General Assembly this Thursday at 7pm in Wilson 301 to help set the agenda for the types of action and structural change we should pursue at UVa. See you there!

Attend at: https://www.facebook.com/events/849528918396060/
Read more at: http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2014/04/students-alumni-to-host-general-assembly