BSU Unity March remembers King

Police blocked off South University Avenue and South State Street yesterday to let 300 Black Student Union Unity March participants recognize the memory of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I think it's important to remember Dr. King's words," said LSA junior Kyndra Griffin. "We don't get special privileges for having black skin. We're here because of the quality of our intellects. We need to be preaching and fighting for equality."

The demonstrators traveled across campus with banners celebrating the efforts of various minority student groups and warning against recent anti-affirmative action movements.

"It's important talking to people about these issues," said LSA senior Corey Fielder. "This march is partly about getting people organized in reaching out to the community."

LOUIS BROWN/Daily Jamar Whitfield and Timothy Shackelford march as part of the Black Student Union's Unity March in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, yesterday.

The march was slated to start at noon, but low turnout postponed the event about 15 minutes. By noon, only about 20 or 30 ralliers had shown up and Ann Arbor Police Department officers told the organizers they would only block the streets if at least 50 protesters participated.

Some participants were disappointed that the march's turnout seemed so low.

"It's depressing because it's gotten a lot smaller since my freshman year," said University alumnus Karriem Watson, who returned to campus to participate in the march. "I think there's a sense of complacency in the community."

As the march got underway, more people joined. By the time the ralliers reached the Diag, there were about 300 people marching.

"Without Dr. King, I would've never been able to go to the University," said University alumna Marsha Slaughter. "Even with so few, if people turn out, it's for the good. Throughout the United States, there is a lot of apathy."

University alumnus Stanley Slaughter said the march is important because it stands as a visual symbol of unity.

"Putting money into programs that diversify the community will bring positive effects," Slaughter said. "It's going to take a rallying point to bring change to the University."

Several student organizations participated in the march, including the Black Student Union, the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action By Any Means Necessary, the Society for Minority Engineering Students and Phi Beta Sigma.

01-20-98