2016 Vol 133 Issue 5

Page 1

BURLINGTON, VT

VTCYNIC.COM

VOL. 133 ISSUE 5

W E D N E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 2 8 , 2 0 1 6

UVM community backs national movement by Olivia Bowman obowman@uvm.edu

At the University of Vermont, blackout is no longer just a hashtag. Over 100 students, staff and community members gathered under the new “Black Lives Matter” flag flown in front of the Davis Center for a moment of silence and many photographs at 4:30 p.m. Monday. They were all gathered for “solidarity for those killed by gun violence,” coordinators and sophomores Akilah Ho-Young and Haydee Miranda said in a speech at the event. “We are standing on justice because today UVM had made us proud by the raising of the flag. We are here to overcome oppression,” Ho-Young said. SGA put the first Black Lives Matter flag up Thursday. After the first flag was stolen, the second flag went up at 5 p.m. Sunday. It was taken down at night to prevent it from being stolen again or vandalized. “You tear us down, we build ourselves up,” junior Jennifer Gil said in regards to the first flag being stolen. “It is amazing for the flag to continue to be so visible for the whole campus to see.” SGA President Jason Maulucci was present for the movement.

UVM community members stand together in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The Black Out event was organized by Akilah Ho-Young and Haydee Miranda. MO QUIGG/The Vermont Cynic

“We have had a bunch of nasty comments coming through after the flags went up,” Maulucci said. “We are hoping the conversation will now change to discuss the reasons why the flag is here in the first place.” Senior Brandice Bodie explained her feelings after the flag went up.

“It means a lot. I actually cried,” Bodie said. “To know your campus stands with students of color is a really big thing for me.” Standing next to Bodie was senior Jenielle Morrison.

SEE MOVEMENT PG. 4


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.