News Local/State

U of I Students Gather In Love And Solidarity Rally For Black Students On Campus

By Tiffany Jolley
 
students gather outside the quad at the U of I Urbana campus to show support for black students on campus.

Several students expressed concerns for the safety of black students on campus, and called for the university administration to do more to address racism on campus. Tiffany Jolley/ Illinois Public Media

Listen (Duration: 1:05)
Download

University of Illinois students were back on the quad Wednesday in support for black students on campus. 

Those attending the rally were also asked to write notes and sign posters as an act of encouragement and support for black students on campus.

Tiffany Jolley/Illinois Public Media

Students are calling for U of I’s administration to do more to protect black students on campus.

Last month, a Facebook page calling itself the Illini White Student Union was created after a Black Student Solidarity rally on campus.

Several student organizations such as He for She, the Graduate Employees Organization and Students For Justice In Palestine all say they stand in solidarity with the Black Students for Revolution and encourage the university administration to do more on behalf of black students.

Erica Horton is a graduate student and president of the planners’ network at the U of I, and said she has deep concerns about racism on campus.

“I think it’s scary, and as a white student, I can’t imagine how scary that must be for other students on campus but with the media attention and the page going all over the country, I think it’s making it a lot more threatening for students,” said Horton.

Those attending the rally were also asked to write notes and sign posters as an act of encouragement and support for black students on campus.