Commemorative March
CIVIL RIGHTS MARCHES REMAIN A PROTEST MAINSTAY
The Civil Rights Marches Continue Around the World.
The most frustrating thing about civil rights marches is that most people assume they are a relic of the past.
Earth to America!
These public acts of non-violent protest remain a critical part of the civil rights landscape because . . . .civil rights violations aren’t a relic of the past either! While some of the most famous marches took place in the American South during the 1950’s and 1960’s, those marches were simply part of a large global movement to get attention for a cause by turning out publicly to support it. Different countries react to marches with widely varying responses. Common responses include indifference, apathy, media absence, media presence, police presence, police interference, beatings, application of tear gas, arrests and shootings. The level of response generally depends on the type of government and the policy being protested.
Protesting Huge Chavez’s nationalization of the banks is going to earn a much different response than protesting the state of California’s referendum results. The incredible variety inherent in civil rights marches makes them one of the most dynamic and powerful tactics that can be used to express dissent, support or disapproval of a policy.
Since 1980, it has become a tradition for MSU faculty, administrators, students and staff to gather on campus and march to Beaumont Tower to pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Since 2006, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, of which Dr. King was affiliated, honor this most notable member by serving as the Grand Marshall of the march. We welcome the public to join us to be a part of this time-honored civil rights tradition, particularly this year in recognition of the 30th anniversary of MSU’s celebration of the legacy of Dr. King.
CALLING ALL MSU STUDENTS
Individual students and registered student organizations of MSU are invited to be a part of the 30th anniversary celebration of Dr. King by proudly marching in the tradition of the civil rights leaders of the past and present. To register your campus organization for the march, please complete and submit the online registration form.
Questions about the March can be directed to Bryan S. Cotton, March Captain.