Rally for equal rights

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - After a week of racial tension on Purdue's campus, students and community members rally for equal rights.

Organizers say the pro-equality rally is an attempt to break down barriers that divide the community. The rally began at the tree outside of the Class of 1950 Lecture Hall. After some brief remarks, the group marched through campus, ending at the Triple XXX Restaurant.

Triple XXX owners Greg and Carrie Ehresman delivered a brief statement, offering apologies for any mistreatment experienced at their restaurant. Sameerah Ahamad help organize the rally and march.

"Having felt acts of discrimination against myself, I definitely feel solidarity and you know sympathy and compassion for others that have felt that," Ahamad said.

She said she is hopeful because many people at the rally who have not be the direct recipient of acts of discrimination, showed up to support the cause.

"It's number one, important to stand up to acts of discrimination on campus. Particularly on a public university. I think they is really no place for those acts down at Triple XXX and the
sort of things that were written on that tree," Purdue junior, Matthew Bradeney said.

Junior Ashley Scott said she attended the event in support of those who have been discriminated against.

"I really appreciate the people who are here and I just hope in the future things like this don't get pushed under the rug and people do speak out and things are handled as accordingly," Scott said.

Organizers hope the rally will get everyone to stand together against all forms of social injustice and promote solidarity for all.

"I'm wanting this dialogue to become goals we would like to see, as opposed to right now I think this movement, while it has the potential to be powerful, there's a good number of people here it is, in reality,
a reactionary movement against acts of discrimination," Bradeney said.

A forum on Purdue's campus will be a chance for the community to be proactive and set goals and create a plan of action for the future.

The forum begins Sunday, November 16th, 5:00 p.m. in Lilly Hall, 1105.