CSU Students Against Marshall- SAM

Special thanks to the The National Action Network who brought national attention to this issue via the vast network and voice of Rev. Al Sharpton.

Particular thanks to Dr. Marcia McCoy, proud alumna, and President of the Greater CLE Chapter who organized a rally of support outside of the CSU College of Law attended by State Senator Nina Turner and created a platform for Black students' and racial minority student's voices to be heard.

We are endlessly grateful.

In 1963 around 1,000 children skipped classes and participated in a children’s civil rights march through downtown Birmingham, Alabama.

They were met with Birmingham Police lines, arrested, and carried off to jail in school buses. Over the next days, it is estimated that near 3,000 children in total participated in the “Children’s Crusade”, as images of them being beaten by police, attacked by police dogs, and blasted by high-pressure fire hoses triggered outrage around the world.

President JFK’s U.S. Department of Justice had to intercede for the attack on protesters to end, and the event moved him to express support for the Civil Rights Act of 1994.

Ms. Julia Rogers, a Cleveland local, was one of these national heroes. She honored the students of Cleveland State University Law School with her time and energy towards this campaign.

Students Against Marshall is relieved that finally, after nearly 3 years, two CSU Presidents, two investigative committees, and however many man-hours and taxpayer dollars were spent on this issue, the CSU Board of Trustees has decided to listen to students.

We, the future alumni, donors, and leaders of Cleveland and Ohio, have been ignored while the Board callously graduated two classes with a slave owner on their diplomas.

We are grateful for this progress but are realistic about the amount of work Cleveland State University must do to repair its relationship with its students of color and their allies, and root out the many systemic prejudices that exist within this institution.

Congrats to our graduating friends in the 2022 class! We are excited for you and cheers to a job well done :)

See you after final exams!