A Special Thank You for a Peaceful Protest
Editor’s Note: Embry-Riddle President P. Barry Butler sent the following message to the Daytona Beach Campus community on June 15.
Embry-Riddle students are leaders. They lead through acts of service, and after graduating, they go on to lead by example, as demonstrated by countless alumni, including Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., whose recent unanimous confirmation as the first African American service chief in the history of the U.S. armed forces made us all proud.
On Saturday, our student leaders gave us yet another reason to be proud by organizing a peaceful protest against racial injustice. The event exemplified democracy at its finest. More than 100 students, faculty and staff, including campus safety and university leadership came together to decry racism, hatred and violence. Everyone received their daily wellness check, wore face coverings and practiced social distancing, in keeping with Embry-Riddle’s health protocols. When students laid down to protest police brutality and honor the late Mr. George Floyd, employees stood by them to ensure their safety. Drivers who passed the protest honked their horns in solidarity.
The theme of the silent protest, “When Will You See Us?” was an important reminder to fight for equal justice and against prejudice, whether it is blatant or unconscious. I was honored to be on hand for the event, and deeply inspired by Embry-Riddle students. Please join me in commending all who made the event a success. In particular, thanks to organizers Vanessa Onyullo, Mahteme Desta and Kassandra Teixeira of the African Student Association (ASA); Abel Gichuki of the ASA, the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, the National Society of Black Engineers, and the Black Student Association; Jamie Padarath of the Caribbean Student Association; and Jamarya Richardson of the Black Student Association, among others. We are also grateful to staff supporters, especially Negar Afshar, assistant director for student organizations, who helped ensure a peaceful protest.
Well done, Eagles!
P. Barry Butler, Ph.D.