Michigan State Students Protest Racism at Bill Clinton Forum
MATTHEW DAE SMITH
Lansing State Journal
Associated Press 12:31 a.m. EST November 19, 2015
EAST LANSING - Dozens of Michigan State students have protested outside a forum attended by former President Bill Clinton, demanding that the school take steps such as creating a Department of African American and African Studies.
University President Lou Anna Simon left Clinton’s speech Wednesday night to talk to the protesters, who are concerned about institutional racism on campus. Hundreds of people attending Clinton’s talk were blocked from entering the Kellogg Center banquet hall by the protesters and were diverted into the room a different way.
The students want higher enrollment from urban areas and a boost in tenure-stream faculty researching black politics.
Clinton did not directly address the protest in his speech but noted that many protest groups, including on campuses, involve people “who feel they are not seen, much less heard.”
Protesters blocking access to former president Bill Clinton's speech at MSU
Students from Michigan State University block traffic during a protest ahead of Bill Clinton's speech at MSU at Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing Wednesday, November 18, 2015.
By Emily Lawler | elawler@mlive.com
November 18, 2015 at 8:09 PM
EAST LANSING, MI -- Around 85 students are blocking access to a room where former president Bill Clinton is speaking at 6 p.m. Wednesday to protest white supremacy and institutionalized racism at Michigan State University.
The group listed a series of demands related to university structure, including the creation of a department of African American and African studies, a multicultural center and a college of race, class and gender studies.
The protestors were so loud that they could be heard in the room where Clinton was speaking. Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon left Clinton's speech to talk with the students.
"This is always going to be a work in progress. Because what they're reflecting is a microcosm of our society," Simon said.
She said the university would be starting a conversation around some of those issues on Thursday.
Protesters blocked traffic and distributed instructions for what their members should do if arrested outside the Kellogg Center on MSU's campus before marching through the building and planting themselves in front of where Clinton is slated to speak. Members have referred to their gathering as a "human barricade."
They chanted things like "this is what democracy looks like" and "no justice, no peace."
Clinton is at MSU to receive the university's first Spartan Statesmanship Award for Distinguished Public Service. The award was established through a $1 million gift from former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard and his wife, Janet.
As of 5:22 p.m., University staff were re-routing attendees seeking access to the Clinton event.
Lansing State Journal
Associated Press 12:31 a.m. EST November 19, 2015
EAST LANSING - Dozens of Michigan State students have protested outside a forum attended by former President Bill Clinton, demanding that the school take steps such as creating a Department of African American and African Studies.
University President Lou Anna Simon left Clinton’s speech Wednesday night to talk to the protesters, who are concerned about institutional racism on campus. Hundreds of people attending Clinton’s talk were blocked from entering the Kellogg Center banquet hall by the protesters and were diverted into the room a different way.
The students want higher enrollment from urban areas and a boost in tenure-stream faculty researching black politics.
Clinton did not directly address the protest in his speech but noted that many protest groups, including on campuses, involve people “who feel they are not seen, much less heard.”
Protesters blocking access to former president Bill Clinton's speech at MSU
Students from Michigan State University block traffic during a protest ahead of Bill Clinton's speech at MSU at Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing Wednesday, November 18, 2015.
By Emily Lawler | elawler@mlive.com
November 18, 2015 at 8:09 PM
EAST LANSING, MI -- Around 85 students are blocking access to a room where former president Bill Clinton is speaking at 6 p.m. Wednesday to protest white supremacy and institutionalized racism at Michigan State University.
The group listed a series of demands related to university structure, including the creation of a department of African American and African studies, a multicultural center and a college of race, class and gender studies.
The protestors were so loud that they could be heard in the room where Clinton was speaking. Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon left Clinton's speech to talk with the students.
"This is always going to be a work in progress. Because what they're reflecting is a microcosm of our society," Simon said.
She said the university would be starting a conversation around some of those issues on Thursday.
Protesters blocked traffic and distributed instructions for what their members should do if arrested outside the Kellogg Center on MSU's campus before marching through the building and planting themselves in front of where Clinton is slated to speak. Members have referred to their gathering as a "human barricade."
They chanted things like "this is what democracy looks like" and "no justice, no peace."
Clinton is at MSU to receive the university's first Spartan Statesmanship Award for Distinguished Public Service. The award was established through a $1 million gift from former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard and his wife, Janet.
As of 5:22 p.m., University staff were re-routing attendees seeking access to the Clinton event.
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