The Students for a Democratic Society hosted an open forum Oct. 20 to raise awareness about police brutality.
Sophomores Benjamin Wallis and Will Chaney organized the forum to spread information about the national movement Rise Up October. The event was a march in New York City on Oct. 24, along with protests and demonstrations Oct. 22 and 23, according to the Rise Up October website.
The forum featured guest speaker Carlos Ball, whose brother, Cary Ball Jr., was shot and killed by two police officers April 24, 2013.
Ball said his brother was a leader, a provider and a father figure. He said he wishes he could talk to him one last time.
“I would definitely tell him that I love him, and let him know that his gifts that he blessed the world with, I’m carrying them all for him, so just because he passed … in the physical sense, his spirit still lives through me,” Carlos Ball said. “I’m sure he’d be proud of us — proud of me.”
Carlos Ball said now is the right time for action protesting police brutality because he actually had a family member killed because of police violence. Carlos Ball said his brother’s death inspired him and his family to go out and protest.
“It was like the tip of the iceberg for us,” Carlos Ball said. “People have had enough. I feel like the time is now because the whole world is watching.”
SDS member freshman Bryant Bell said he thinks the event was important.
“I attended the forum because I believe that police brutality will not go away unless [we] take action,” Bell said.
Since the time of the forum, 15 Truman students are planning to travel to New York City for Rise Up October, Wallis said.
Wallis said he was happy about the audience turnout at the forum.
“I think most who attended found their attitudes and opinions on police brutality sharpened by engagement in a critical discussion, and I hope the forum will serve as a call to action for many,” Wallis said.