To Whom It May Concern:

The concerned students of Binghamton University have decided to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who have been victims of police brutality. We plan to stand in solidarity by protesting the national anthem at the Soccer Game against Bucknell University scheduled for Tuesday, September 27th 2016. We are not protesting Binghamton University, the athletes on the soccer team, or the U.S. Military. We are protesting our ailing criminal justice system.

Protest of the national anthem has garnered recent media attention across the United States and caused much confusion for many people who are not directly impacted by the consequences of police brutality. It is important that folks understand why this protest is taking place and why it is a necessary form of resistance to the violence plaguing black and brown communities across our nation. For decades the United States criminal justice system has been unfair and deadly to people of color. Black people are 3X more likely to be killed by police than white people, and 30% of black victims of police brutality were unarmed in 2015 compared to 19% of white victims according to mapping police violence. Unfortunately, police brutality is occurring with an alarming frequency throughout our nation and there is no accountability. 97% of the police brutality cases in 2015 did not result in any officer(s) involved being charged with a crime and even fewer resulted in a conviction.

The United States prides itself on being “the land of the free” and “the home of the brave,” but has been silent in the face of continued violence and injustice. We believe that it is important for students to voice their concerns and make their disappointment with our nation’s response to the venomous criminal justice system heard. We recognize that inaction and complacency will only make matters worse, and result in more unnecessary police causalities. We cannot standby and wait for someone else, somewhere else to take action. As engaged students, and future leaders we must take a stance.

We invite any and all folks to join us in our protest.

Sincerely,

The Vice President of Multicultural Affairs of the Student Association at Binghamton University

The College Progressives

The Black Student Union

The Latin American Student Union

The African Student Organization

Men of Color Scholastic Society

Juvenile Urban Multicultural Program

Thurgood Marshall Pre-Law Society