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University students hold anti-racism protests across US – as it happened University students hold anti-racism protests across US – as it happened
(30 days later)
9.19pm GMT9.19pm GMT
21:1921:19
#StudentBlackOut protests demand change across then country#StudentBlackOut protests demand change across then country
Here’s a look at some of the actions today, as we close out The Guardian’s liveblog of #StudentBlackOut protests across the country.Here’s a look at some of the actions today, as we close out The Guardian’s liveblog of #StudentBlackOut protests across the country.
Demonstrations gathered at preeminent institutions such as Harvard, Tufts and Princeton, and state schools such as Towson University alike. Students protested what activists saw as institutional racism.Demonstrations gathered at preeminent institutions such as Harvard, Tufts and Princeton, and state schools such as Towson University alike. Students protested what activists saw as institutional racism.
8.45pm GMT8.45pm GMT
20:4520:45
Students at Tufts University have just walked out of class. There, students have used the hashtag #thethreepercent to highlight the school’s percentage of black students.Students at Tufts University have just walked out of class. There, students have used the hashtag #thethreepercent to highlight the school’s percentage of black students.
Just 4% of Tufts students are black, and only 84% graduate after six years (known as a retention rate), the lowest of any ethnicity at the school. As a point of comparison, 94% of white students at Tufts graduate after six years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.Just 4% of Tufts students are black, and only 84% graduate after six years (known as a retention rate), the lowest of any ethnicity at the school. As a point of comparison, 94% of white students at Tufts graduate after six years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
BREAKING: Tufts students walk out of classes for #StudentBlackOut. Follow for live #thethreepercent coverage. #TuftsWithTheThreeBREAKING: Tufts students walk out of classes for #StudentBlackOut. Follow for live #thethreepercent coverage. #TuftsWithTheThree
8.28pm GMT8.28pm GMT
20:2820:28
Actress Laverne Cox weighs in on protestsActress Laverne Cox weighs in on protests
Best known for her role in the Netflix series Orange is the New Black, actress Laverne Cox just weighed in on protests at universities across the country.Best known for her role in the Netflix series Orange is the New Black, actress Laverne Cox just weighed in on protests at universities across the country.
Love that students all over the country are demanding institutional change at their universities. #StudentBlackOut https://t.co/Xz3rmTf8WRLove that students all over the country are demanding institutional change at their universities. #StudentBlackOut https://t.co/Xz3rmTf8WR
8.04pm GMT8.04pm GMT
20:0420:04
Protesters at Stanford University: “It is our duty to fight for our freedom.”Protesters at Stanford University: “It is our duty to fight for our freedom.”
7.54pm GMT7.54pm GMT
19:5419:54
Demonstrators at the University of Cincinnati are in silent protest, standing in a chilly rain.Demonstrators at the University of Cincinnati are in silent protest, standing in a chilly rain.
@theIRATE8 #StudentBlackOut silent protest at @uofcincy #TheIrate8 @PrezOno https://t.co/PfS0dzhawj pic.twitter.com/QRSac6ISH1@theIRATE8 #StudentBlackOut silent protest at @uofcincy #TheIrate8 @PrezOno https://t.co/PfS0dzhawj pic.twitter.com/QRSac6ISH1
The first demand from activists there is that two university police officers, Phillip Kid and David Lindenschmidt, be barred from patrolling campus. The two officers were on scene after fellow university police officer Ray Tensing shot and killed a 43-year-old unarmed black man, Sam DuBose.The first demand from activists there is that two university police officers, Phillip Kid and David Lindenschmidt, be barred from patrolling campus. The two officers were on scene after fellow university police officer Ray Tensing shot and killed a 43-year-old unarmed black man, Sam DuBose.
The protesters are also asking for “extensive background checks” of police, faculty and staff.The protesters are also asking for “extensive background checks” of police, faculty and staff.
7.44pm GMT7.44pm GMT
19:4419:44
We’re less than 30 minutes away from another wave of protests on the west coast.We’re less than 30 minutes away from another wave of protests on the west coast.
We’re expecting actions at University of California at Berkeley and at Stanford University. Demonstrations should also start soon at Michigan State University.We’re expecting actions at University of California at Berkeley and at Stanford University. Demonstrations should also start soon at Michigan State University.
#StudentBlackOut #BlackAtStanford pic.twitter.com/5fTRnxs67s#StudentBlackOut #BlackAtStanford pic.twitter.com/5fTRnxs67s
@CalBSU walkout is starting in thirty minutes! #StudentBlackOut #Mizzou2Cal@CalBSU walkout is starting in thirty minutes! #StudentBlackOut #Mizzou2Cal
7.34pm GMT7.34pm GMT
19:3419:34
Protesters at Ryerson University in downtown Toronto, Canada have hung a sign from what appears to be a parking garage.Protesters at Ryerson University in downtown Toronto, Canada have hung a sign from what appears to be a parking garage.
Just a few months ago administrators there removed “white student union” signs from around campus, calling them “offensive.”Just a few months ago administrators there removed “white student union” signs from around campus, calling them “offensive.”
#BlackonCampusRYE pic.twitter.com/Mf7y1EbkuK#BlackonCampusRYE pic.twitter.com/Mf7y1EbkuK
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.38pm GMTat 7.38pm GMT
7.20pm GMT7.20pm GMT
19:2019:20
Princeton does away with 'masters' titles for college headsPrinceton does away with 'masters' titles for college heads
Still more Princeton news here: without ever mentioning race or protests, the university announces “masters” of the residential colleges will change their titles to “heads” of colleges, effective immediately.Still more Princeton news here: without ever mentioning race or protests, the university announces “masters” of the residential colleges will change their titles to “heads” of colleges, effective immediately.
The former ‘masters’ of our six residential colleges have long been in conversation with the Office of the Dean of the College about their anachronistic, historically vexed titles,” Dean of the College Jill Dolan said in a press release. “We believe that calling them ‘head of the college’ better captures the spirit of their work and their contributions to campus residential life.”The former ‘masters’ of our six residential colleges have long been in conversation with the Office of the Dean of the College about their anachronistic, historically vexed titles,” Dean of the College Jill Dolan said in a press release. “We believe that calling them ‘head of the college’ better captures the spirit of their work and their contributions to campus residential life.”
The school’s president, Christopher L Eisgruber, whose office is currently being occupied, also commented on the name change.The school’s president, Christopher L Eisgruber, whose office is currently being occupied, also commented on the name change.
I enthusiastically support the change adopted by our heads of college... The new title better describes their roles, and it does away with antiquated terminology that discomfited some students, faculty, and the heads of college themselves.”I enthusiastically support the change adopted by our heads of college... The new title better describes their roles, and it does away with antiquated terminology that discomfited some students, faculty, and the heads of college themselves.”
7.12pm GMT7.12pm GMT
19:1219:12
As the Princeton Press Club points out, one of the largest forums for discussion of race (and for backlash against protesters) on college campuses has been the pseudo-anonymous sharing app Yik Yak.As the Princeton Press Club points out, one of the largest forums for discussion of race (and for backlash against protesters) on college campuses has been the pseudo-anonymous sharing app Yik Yak.
We call it pseudo-anonymous because the company gathers at least enough user information gathered to track threats and report them to police. The company admitted providing user information to police after users threatened protesters at the University of Missouri.We call it pseudo-anonymous because the company gathers at least enough user information gathered to track threats and report them to police. The company admitted providing user information to police after users threatened protesters at the University of Missouri.
Princeton's Yik Yak largely pro-#Princeton administration right now. An #EisgruberMatters hashtag has 80+ up votes. pic.twitter.com/lnN8v9InAVPrinceton's Yik Yak largely pro-#Princeton administration right now. An #EisgruberMatters hashtag has 80+ up votes. pic.twitter.com/lnN8v9InAV
7.02pm GMT7.02pm GMT
19:0219:02
Protests are also happening in the halls of at least one school of criminal justice – here’s a shot from inside John Jay College in New York City.Protests are also happening in the halls of at least one school of criminal justice – here’s a shot from inside John Jay College in New York City.
.@JohnJayCollege stands with @Mizzou #myjohnjay #cuny #ConcernedStudent1950 #nyc #education pic.twitter.com/hb9zRFCUvx.@JohnJayCollege stands with @Mizzou #myjohnjay #cuny #ConcernedStudent1950 #nyc #education pic.twitter.com/hb9zRFCUvx
6.55pm GMT6.55pm GMT
18:5518:55
Here’s a look inside the sit-in at the president’s office at Princeton University.Here’s a look inside the sit-in at the president’s office at Princeton University.
Video from the protest inside Pres Eisgruber's office. "We here! We been here. We ain't leavin. We are loved." https://t.co/JlgrKbhxY8Video from the protest inside Pres Eisgruber's office. "We here! We been here. We ain't leavin. We are loved." https://t.co/JlgrKbhxY8
We’re here. We been here. We ain’t leaving. We are loved.”We’re here. We been here. We ain’t leaving. We are loved.”
6.54pm GMT
18:54
Wesleyan students secure meeting with provost
We’re seeing reports that protesters at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst have successfully secured a meeting with Katherine Newman, the school’s provost to discuss racism on campus.
Protesters have also reportedly asked students to screenshot racist social media comments.
The meeting is finalized: Sunday at 12 p.m. Still trying to decide on a space. #UMassAmherst #StudentBlackOut
6.36pm GMT
18:36
Wesbite collects demands of 21 universities
Demands from almost two dozen schools have been collected on one website by Twitter user @samswey, an activist with Campaign Zero. That campaign looks to stop police violence.
The Guardian has tracked at least 1,005 people killed by police in 2015.
These are living demands and will grow and change as the work grows and changes,” thedemands.org reminds us.
6.27pm GMT
18:27
Students at Wesleyan University have issued their own set of demands.
Students there are asking for an equity advocate, a multicultural center and tracking of faculty and staff “micro-aggressions”.
President Michael Roth, past presidents, and the bureaucracy of this institution have actively neglected to address issues that pertain to students of color and empower them with the same level of resources, consideration, and inclusion historically available to white students.
Hundreds of students gather in front of president's office with a list of demands #StudentBlackOut pic.twitter.com/i8MCnV64kv
6.17pm GMT
18:17
Students across the country protest racism on campus
Here’s a quick recap of what’s been happening at college and university campuses across the country:
When we talk about higher education, we like to paint it as a different type of system,” Yamiesha Bell, a national organizer with the Black Liberation Collective told The Guardian. “It was built for white men, it was built on stolen land, and it was built on the backs of black people and that’s important for us to realize when we talk about race on campus.”
5.32pm GMT
17:32
Here is some of the latest video coming out of the University of Cincinnati, where a student group called the Irate 8 has organized students.
"If you are silent about your pain, they will kill you and say you enjoyed it." Zora Neale Hurston #StudentBlackOut pic.twitter.com/M9sJ76KuKc
And here’s more video from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Students march to Blue Wall pic.twitter.com/Gswby7pWqW
5.11pm GMT
17:11
One protester at Princeton has told us students are already occupying President Christopher Eisgruber’s office.
@Princeton students occupying President Eisgruber's office until demands are met. #StudentBlackOut pic.twitter.com/mV2GNfBijC
And Princeton University’s press club has tweeted a list of demands issued by the school’s Black Justice League.
We demand the university administration publicly acknowledge the racist legacy of Woodrow Wilson ...
We demand cultural competency training for all faculty and staff...
We demand a cultural place on campus dedicated specifically to black students...”
Here’s the full document.
Princeton's Black Justice League issue 3 demands. They intend to sit-in until President Eisgruber signs them. pic.twitter.com/eYqgaVF9FN
5.00pm GMT
17:00
We just learned students are protesting at the University of Pittsburgh today, beginning at 4pm ET.
We’re also expecting demonstrations from students at Emory University, Morehouse and Spelman College around 6pm ET.
#StudentBlackOut #nationalblackout PGH STUDENTS IN SOLIDARITY pic.twitter.com/qMRHKKRHAA
4.41pm GMT
16:41
There are also calls for protests in Amherst, Boston and Worcester Massachusetts, at Stanford University in California, and Rutgers University in New Jersey.
We also know at least one Canadian school, the University of Toronto, has issued a set of demands, asking administrators to hire more black faculty, provide better mental health services to students of color and to divest from the American for-profit prison industry (a demand suggested by the Black Liberation Collective).
Anti-blackness is systemic. And anti-blackness is a choice. In order to address anti-blackness, we must all become anti-racist in our actions.”
If you know of more protests, please tweet them to us.
#StudentBlackOut #BlackonCampusUofT pic.twitter.com/S3OjKcHU3s
4.27pm GMT
16:27
Today’s “day of action” takes place across the country, but times seem to vary. We’re expecting protests at University of Cincinnati in Ohio to begin at 12pm ET.
Tomorrow, 12 pm on Mainstreet. Be there. #theirate8 #studentblackout pic.twitter.com/k1KMwgVcsf
Others protests at the University of Michigan and the University of California at Berkeley around 3pm ET.
Organizers have told The Guardian that protests are also expected at Yale, Harvard and in Atlanta, Georgia.
3.55pm GMT
15:55
Good morning, and welcome to our live blog on the #StudentBlackOut protests planned for universities across the US today.
Anti-racism demonstrations have roiled schools from Yale University in Connecticut to the University of Missouri to Kean University in New Jersey in recent weeks.
Students at these schools, especially black students, have been threatened online, received pushback from within their communities, but have also been successful in some of their demands.
You can read the full story of the planned protesters here. And we’ll have live coverage throughout the day on this blog.
Updated
at 4.00pm GMT