Black Students Mobilize: Mass Rally and Public Call to Action in Wake of Shawnee Mission Hate Crime

SHAWNEE MISSION, KS – In an unprecedented show of solidarity and strength, the Black Student Solidarity Network, a statewide Black-led student organization, is mobilizing a massive protest in response to a recent hate crime at Shawnee Mission East High School. The organization, formed in 2022 amidst a surge of racial violence in Missouri and Kansas schools, is calling upon the community to stand against white supremacist violence and demand justice for all Black students.

The Rallying Cry for Action:

The protest is set for Thursday, November 30 at 5:30 PM, taking place at 8200 W 71st St. The organizers are extending a passionate call to all community members to join in solidarity. Their message is clear: the community will not be silenced or terrorized by white supremacists and hate crimes.

Key Demands of the Protest:

1. Formal Apology and Admission of Wrongdoing: The first demand is for a formal public apology from Shawnee Mission East High School, acknowledging their error in suspending Brey, who was a victim of a hate crime. This action highlights the broader issue of failure to protect Black students in the face of racial violence.
2. Immediate Expulsion of the Racist Attacker: The protesters demand the immediate and permanent expulsion of the student responsible for the attack. This demand underscores the zero-tolerance approach towards racially motivated violence in educational institutions.
3. Revision of Zero-Tolerance Policy: The network urges a revision of the zero-tolerance policy, advocating for the rights of Black students to defend themselves against racial hate speech without facing unfair punishment.
4. Mandatory Cultural Competency for Administrators: There’s a call for mandatory cultural competency exams for all administrators. Failure to pass these exams should result in dismissal, ensuring that those in power are equipped to create and maintain a safe, inclusive environment.
5. Implementation of SURJ-KC’s 2020 Recommendations: The protesters are pushing for the immediate implementation of all 12 recommendations from SURJ-KC, which were proposed in 2020 to address systemic racism and promote racial justice in schools.
6. Transparent Accountability Measures: The final demand is the establishment of clear, transparent measures to hold students and staff accountable for racist behavior, including public reporting of incidents and subsequent actions.

A Turning Point for Black Youth Organizing & Racial Justice:

This mass protest is more than a reaction to a single incident; it’s a turning point in the fight for racial justice in schools across Missouri and Kansas. The Black Student Solidarity Network, through this protest, aims to not only seek justice for Brey but also to spark a larger movement towards creating a safe and equitable educational environment for all Black students.

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