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August 27, 2020 Volume 103 Number 1 THE DUQUESNE DUKE www.duqsm.com PROUDLY SERVING OUR CAMPUS SINCE 1925 Dannielle Brown hungers for justice Black T h e S t y o Student t r i i n e u BLACK s m o m VOICES f Union o C D MATTER u q k u c e a l s B n e ’ s fights for Colleen Hammond change news editor Colleen Hammond Dannielle Brown is set to prove news editor there are no limits to a mother’s love. In the staggering August heat, In the wake of civil unrest across Brown sat on the sizzling concrete of the country as racial justice protests Freedom Corner in the Hill District continue to surge in several major as her hunger strike demanding jus- cities, Duquesne’s minority student tice for her son Marquis Jaylen “JB” leaders are done waiting for change. Brown rolled into its 53rd day. They want immediate action. On the evening of Oct. 4, 2018, On July 27, Duquesne’s Black Jaylen fell to his death from the Student Union (BSU), in accord 16th floor of Brottier Hall. It was with a dozen other minority orga- his 21st birthday. nizations on campus, published a Colleen Hammond / News Editor Although it has been nearly two document addressed to President Dannielle Brown, mother of late Duquesne student Marquis Jaylen Brown, places flowers on a symbolic empty casket years since the incident, Dannielle Gormley and university adminis- during her living funeral procession through the streets of downtown. Brown has refused to stop search- tration detailing the specific chang- ing for complete and satisfying an- “I want to make sure that the in all black following a procession continued her hunger strike for an es needed to accommodate the swers about the moments leading love and support is still there,” through the streets of downtown. additional month. At the time of unique struggles of minority, and up to her son’s death. Harris said. It was led by Brown and her sup- publication, Brown had reached specifically, Black students. “I am just an ordinary mom that Since Brown began her hun- porters pushing an empty casket day 55 of her hunger strike. “Due to the current political wants a crack at the truth,” Brown ger strike, she has received wide- and singing traditional American “What the news don’t tell you — I and racial tension, and the unjust posted to social media in early July. spread attention in the Duquesne protest songs. continue on this hunger strike be- murders of Black men and women On July 4, she upended her life community and surrounding Pitts- “You came for the wrong moth- cause Duquesne keep ditching out in the world, we are calling for in Maryland and moved to Free- burgh area, as well as gained a er, until my last breath,” Brown red tape,” Brown posted to social Duquesne University to hear us dom Corner with no more than substantial following. Two online repeated to the crowd, with many media on August 18. and see us for our color and ac- basic supplies and a white rocking petitions calling for “Justice for supporters wearing shirts with the That same day, attorneys for knowledge its room for improve- chair. Brown then began her hun- Marquis Jaylen Brown” have com- same statement printed on the Duquesne held a press conference ment,” the document said. ger strike and presented three de- bined received more than 120,000 back. in which they said they had agreed Members of the BSU met fre- mands to Duquesne University. signatures, and her social media Despite her large following and to meet all of Brown’s demands quently over the summer to craft “1) An independent investiga- following has boomed. She also has wave of support, Brown said she weeks earlier and formally an- this extensive twelve page docu- tion with full access to information a consistent group of roughly 20 has struggled to get her demands nounced this was not a case of po- ment that outlines “a series of ac- and resources. supporters at Freedom Corner who met by university officials. lice brutality, racism or negligence. tion plans designed to enhance 2) Body cameras for all university alternate camping out overnight After meeting with Brown and “Duquesne agreed to expedi- and establish a more diverse and police and performing chores, said local her former legal counsel, Lee tiously seek to procure body cam- inclusive atmosphere for all stu- 3) Mandatory certification train- Party of Socialism and Liberation Merritt, in early July, the univer- eras for its officers to add addition- dents, more specifically the Black ing in mental health crisis inter- (PSL) organizer and activist Emily sity said they would make the com- al training, to satisfy Ms. Brown’s students, at Duquesne University.” vention and de-escalation for po- Hannon. plete Duquesne Public Safety file other two demands and to bring Their plan proposed a variety lice and first responders” read a “She just seemed like she needed available for in-person review by closure to this matter,” the univer- of short and long term “actions sign at Brown’s protest site. help,” Hannon said. Brown’s counsel. The university sity news release said. plans” that touch on nearly ev- “Her demands are very clear and Hannon has been visiting Brown also publicly urged the Pittsburgh University attorneys David Faw- ery aspect of campus life includ- concise,” said Kayla Harris, execu- at Freedom Corner and protesting Police bureau to do the same with cett and Jason Hazelwood from ing athletics, residence life and tive vice president of Duquesne’s at the corner of Forbes Avenue and their case file. Reed Smith also said the Duquesne Greek life. Black Student Union. Washington Place since the first “Both parties are committed to Public Safety file was ready to be Among the short-term action In the wake of George Floyd’s week of Brown’s hunger strike. transparency and resolution in a viewed “as soon as Ms. Brown’s plans is a “call to action” for ad- death and the recent rise in pro- In addition to the camp at Free- way that can celebrate and honor lawyer returns the relevant paper- ministration to expand the DU tests for racial equality across the dom Corner and picketing on cam- JB’s life and contributions,” said work.” Cares Program to include acts of country, Jaylen’s death has once pus, events and marches led by a joint statement by the universi- But Brown tells a different story. racial descrimination as part of again received public attention Brown have attracted crowds in the ty, Dannielle Brown and her legal She claimed the university has the student conduct rules, stating with many supporting Brown’s de- hundreds. counsel from July 9. not met her demands and refuses that perpetrators of racism or de- mands, including Harris. Her most notable event, a sym- However, despite the universi- to work with her to resolve issues scrimination should be punished Harris, like several Duquesne bolic living funeral for her in which ty’s statement of agreement, Brown of campus police reform and racial and held accountable for their ac- students, has frequently visited she eulogized herself, featured a alleged that the university did not justice, citing “legal red tape” and a Brown and her supporters at their large crowd of supporters dressed sufficiently meet her demands and “lack of full access” She also alleged see BSU — page 3 camp-out residence at Freedom Corner, often bringing along coco- see BROWN — page 2 nut water and other supplies. opinions features sports a & e Follow us on... An Open Letter It takes a Village Reflecting on DU The show must go to Campus New virtual support MBB’s season on (but where?) group for Black Turning a new leaf Several happenings DU Red Masquers students at The Duke lend to fruitful ‘20-’21 lose theater to health science labs @theduquesneduke PAGE 5 PAGE 5 PAGE 8 PAGE 7 2 THEDUQUESNEDUKE Dannielle Brown’s hunger strike continues Since the August 18 statement, from BROWN — page 1 DukeTips Duquesne has continued to say that Brown is seeking monetary This year, The Duke is investing it- that the university has construct- compensation for her son’s death self to tell stories of Black voices on ed a false narrative to discredit from the university. our college campus. If you’ve got a her and her work. “It was a lot of back and forth,” story worth sharing —and everyone “I think Duquesne needs to Harris said. “I just want her does—please contact news editor stop trying to protect their im- (Brown) to have the closure she’s and managing editor Colleen Ham- age,” Hannon said. starving herself for.” mond at [email protected] At the August 18 news confer- Harris noted how she deeply ence, Fawcett and Hazelwood cares for Brown and finds a sense claimed that Brown had made of sisterhood with her as they are a fourth demand consisting of a both members of Delta Sigma large sum of money. Theta. Joke Corner “Ms. Brown now has commu- Despite the conflicting reports nicated that she is making a sub- from Brown and the university, stantial monetary demand of the Harris feels this case is about University,” said the accompany- more than determining and mak- Why is it called the novel ing news release. ing public the details of this case. Colleen Hammond / News Editor Protestors carry signs reading “Justice 4 JB” outside PPG Arena. Brown denies these allegations.

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