University community leaders now find themselves in a similar position to the one they were in last July as they work to maintain a safe environment on campus while keeping channels of public dialogue open for students.
The Department of Justice announced Wednesday it did not have “sufficient evidence” to charge two white Baton Rouge police officers with violating the federal civil rights of Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man whose death sparked national attention and protests throughout the city.
Sterling was shot and killed in an altercation with BRPD officers Howie Lake II and Blane Salamoni last summer.
NAACP at LSU president Monturios Howard said while he expected the DOJ’s decision to not prosecute the officers, it doesn’t make the verdict any less painful.
“As African-Americans, we have to strive to be better and continue to push the envelope and… make sure we’re doing everything in our power to change the landscape of how America looks and how America thinks about people that are not white,” Howard said.
Howard was more concerned about the way the decision was publicized rather than the outcome itself. The DOJ leak to national news sources while the Sterling family and local officials remained in the dark was “despicable,” he said, as “the Sterling family deserves the utmost respect in that regard.”
Howard said he didn’t think protesting was the right move for students right now, especially with finals week underway. However, campus leaders need to ensure dialogue happens next semester about the way justice is delivered in cases like this, he said.
Vice Provost for Diversity Dereck Rovaris said he thought many students may be more disappointed than angered by the decision. He emphasized that the DOJ decision is not final, as it is based on a federal civil rights violation, and that criminal charges still have to be investigated by the state attorney general’s office.
“LSU is a part of the city. What’s tough for the city is tough for us,” Rovaris said. “We want to work hard…to make sure Baton Rouge stays together, as well as LSU.”
LSU President F. King Alexander sent out a statement to students Wednesday urging students to take care of one another and be compassionate in a difficult time.
“We are committed to helping students understand societal challenges, supporting them in expressing themselves in a safe manner if they wish to participate in the public dialogue, and developing future leaders who will help avoid situations like the ones of July 2016,” the statement said. “…As part of the LSU family, your role in this world is to learn, think, and influence others to make a profound impact on society, and we’re here to support you on every step of that journey.”
Student Government president Jason Badeaux reaffirmed King’s remarks in a statement from SG.
“We are committed to maintaining a safe learning environment for our students, while supporting those who choose to express themselves and engage in public dialogue in a safe manner,” the statement said.
