When news broke last Saturday that unarmed teen, Michael Brown, of Ferguson, Missouri had been killed by a local police office, there was a national outcry for justice to be served.
Citizens in Ferguson rioted and protested against police, expressing anger over a justice system that once again has failed to protect a black life.
Brown, 18, reportedly put his hands up and surrendered to police before being shot multiple times, by a police officer whose identity took days to be released. Yesterday, a national moment of silence was held as peaceful protests took place across the nation in honor of the teen. The hashtag #NMOS14 was spread across social media as protesters marched through the streets of their city yelling “Hands up, don’t shoot” and “No justice, no peace,” as they demanded an end to police brutality and justice be brought to the Brown family.
Recognizing that everyone of us is a Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Renisha McBride, Eric Gardner, as is every other black life that has been taken away at the hands of police, HBCUs across the country came together for a powerful photo showing students in a surrendering position with their hands up like Michael Brown.
Take a look to see what black colleges have unified to show their support in #justiceformikebrown.
Howard University
Coming out as the first university to rally its students together for a powerful picture, Howard University shows that its willing to help put an end to police brutality.
“We are proud of our students who have united peacefully to show they will not stand for the senseless violence anymore,” the university said on its Facebook page. “Thank you to the Howard University Student Association for leading and organizing the display of solidarity #HandsUpDontShoot.”
Florida A&M University
Student leaders at Florida A&M University joined the #JusticeforMikeBrown movement by gathering for a powerful #HandsUpDontShoot picture.
Central State University
Ohio’s Central State University tweeted a picture on Thursday of its students coming together for justice saying, “The Marauders gathered together this morning to express how they feel about the situation.”
Norfolk State University
Students at Norfolk State University came together in an NSU formation with their hands up to show their support in bringing justice to the Michael Brown case.
Oakwood University
Students at Oakwood University in Alabama gathered together for a #HandsUpDontShoot picture that was featured on MSNBC.
Southern University
Students at Southern University in Louisiana gathered together on Thursday for National Moment of Silence Day in honor of Michael Brown with their hands up and posters that read phrases like, “#DontShoot I’m your future doctor #NMOS14.”