ETSU’s Shades of Africa is planning an Awareness March that will take place Thursday starting at 3 p.m. at Borchuck Plaza to show solidarity with Nigerian people and to condemn the killings that have happened during recent nationwide protests for police reform in Nigeria.
Shades of Africa is a student organization interested in uniting African students and scholars and creating cultural awareness, social and scholarly growth of African students.
The march will start at Borchuck Plaza. Students will march to Founders Park in downtown Johnson City and then back to ETSU.
Throughout Nigeria in early October, young Nigerians began protesting against police brutality and demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a special police unit in Nigeria that has been accused of human rights abuses. Though the Nigerian government recently announced it would disband SARS, demonstrations continue as protestors call for an end to all police brutality, as well as government inadequacies and corruption.
At least 10 people have been killed during the protests and hundreds have been injured, according to the Associated Press.
“Because of peaceful protests and peaceful demonstration, the security agencies started shooting at the people, killing the young people and killing students, which is something that shouldn’t happen in the 21st century,” Shades of Africa President Gregory Odey said. “We condemn that in all totality; we condemn that in all its forms.”
Along with being President of the organization, Odey is also a Nigerian who is concerned by the situation. When the killings started taking place, he thought it was important to inform the public about what is going on. He said many of the African students at ETSU were in support of the idea, so they met with their advisor and agreed on organizing a march.
“This is just a way to let the world know the level of oppression, the level of intimidation, the level of the contrasting parts of the democracy,” Odey said. “Because our government in Africa, we believe in, we preach democracy. What we have is democracy on paper, not in practice. It’s written. We are preaching a democratic government in paper, which the whole world knows, but the reality is we operate in—the government in Africa, [is] basically [an] autocratic system of government, dictatorial system of government where the people don’t have voices.”
He said the goal for Thursday is to make videos and be live on social media platforms with hopes of the videos trending and going viral to further spread awareness about the issue. Odey said they understand how powerful and influential social media can be, and they want to help create an international awareness so other countries can hold the Nigerian government accountable.
“We want this to go around the world,” Odey said. “Because I mean, it’s something that the people of the world must criticize and call the [Nigerian] government to order. You know, if that happens, then our democracy will be preserved because if that is not addressed then I’m afraid that the country will be moving towards a revolution or maybe civil war, which we will not be happy [about] because we have families at home.”
The march is open to any students who want to come and show solidarity, but participants much reach out to Shades of Africa ahead of time. Odey said he wants to keep it very organized. They will have a list of all students coming to make sure they have enough materials, resources and refreshments.
If interested in attending, email shades@etsu.edu or odeyga@etsu.edu to get added to the list.
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