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[Photo Story] 3/20 Coalition Hosts ‘Justice For Daunte’ Protest

The 3/20 Coalition hosted a protest at the Allen Street Gates Tuesday night to demand justice for Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man fatally shot by police in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, over the weekend.

The protest attracted dozens of community members to listen to activists in the State College area, including Black Caucus President Nyla Holland and Penn State Ph.D. candidate Gabriel Green.

Tierra Williams, the co-chair of the 3/20 Coalition, opened the event explaining its purpose, which was to stand in solidarity with the family of Daunte Wright.

Sam Brungo | Onward State

Shortly after, Holland stepped up to the microphone.

Michael Tauriello | Onward State

“There is no reform, there is no amendment that will fix this,” Holland said. “We must consider a new system. One for the people, one by the people, for all of us.”

Michael Tauriello | Onward State
Michael Tauriello | Onward State
Sam Brungo | Onward State
Michael Tauriello | Onward State
Michael Tauriello | Onward State

Penn State student Divine Lipscomb, who’s running for a Borough Council seat this May, spoke at the protest, pointing to the College Ave. rush hour traffic, saying, “I’m angry, not just because we’re standing here, but look, life just goes on. Life goes on for so many people who are around us.”

Michael Tauriello | Onward State

He finished off by calling on police, saying, “You do not have a green light to kill people because you wear a badge.”

Connor Donohue | Onward State
Michael Tauriello | Onward State

“The truth is,” Green said, “police brutality only has the intention of tearing us down.”

Michael Tauriello | Onward State

At the end of his speech, Green left the protest with one final thought.

“A cop in Clearfield County is a cop in Centre County,” he said. “A cop in Pennsylvania is a cop in Michigan!”

Michael Tauriello | Onward State
Connor Donohue | Onward State

“I’m tired of being at the bottom of America’s totem pole,” Williams lamented, “I’m tired of the hashtags.”

Michael Tauriello | Onward State

Dr. R. Nanre Nafziger-Mayegun, co-chair of the 3/20 Coalition, concluded the protest with a heartfelt speech, “Our sons are crying for their mothers.”

Michael Tauriello | Onward State

“I’m not going to bury my son,” Nafziger-Mayegun said. “Mothers are not allowed to bury their sons. They’re not allowed to attend their funerals because it’s too hard.”

Michael Tauriello | Onward State

Following the event, protestors filled the sidewalks by the Allen Street Gates with sidewalk chalk messages calling for action.

Michael Tauriello | Onward State

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About the Author

Michael Tauriello

Michael graduated with a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering in May 2022. He served as a photographer, social media editor, and visual editor over the course of seven semesters. If you want to know what he's up to these days, shoot him an email at [email protected] or take a look at @michaelt._ on Instagram.

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