Recent events across the nation involving racial discrimination and police brutality, particularly a New York grand jury’s decision not to indict a police officer in the death of Eric Garner, have prompted protests, comments by municipal and academic officials, and other reactions throughout Princeton in recent days.
Last Thursday, a silent protest took place on the Princeton University campus. On Monday of this week, members of the Princeton Theological Seminary community marched on Princeton streets to express their opposition to the decision. Princeton University president Christopher L. Eisgruber issued a statement on Monday urging commitment to equality. And at a meeting of Princeton Council on Monday night, Councilman Lance Liverman read a statement expressing his views.
The Seminary march began on the campus and proceeded along Mercer Street to Nassau Street. The marchers walked in silence at first, stopping at the intersection of Nassau and University Place to hold a rally. Speeches were given by students about their own experiences with racial discrimination. The protestors walked to Palmer Square before continuing to Vandeventer Avenue, stopping along the way to lie down in front of the shops on Nassau Street.
The protest was planned by the Seminary’s Association of Black Seminarians and the Community Action Network. Seminary President Craig Barnes was among those participating in the march.
In a statement before the protest, Jacqueline Nelson, a Seminary student and moderator of the Association of Black Seminarians, said prayer is not enough of a response to the police violence against people of color. “Our faith compels us to declare that all lives have value,” she said. “Regardless of our background, color, and social status, we as a church must stand on the side of justice for all and proclaim that enough is enough: we will no longer tolerate racist and oppressive systems.”
Mr. Eisgruber’s statement was made during a meeting of the Council of the Princeton University Community, a group formed during the turmoil of the Vietnam War more than 40 years ago. “Our Constitution’s promise of equal protection of the laws remains unfulfilled, and the American people’s dream of justice remains unrealized,” he said. “Protests across the country and on our own campus testify eloquently to the anguish caused by the unfairness that persists within American society.”
Mr. Eisgruber said he was charging the executive committee of the Council to develop recommendations for improving policies and practices regarding diversity, inclusion, and equality on campus. “I am also asking the executive committee to propose events in the upcoming months that will enhance public dialogue about racial equality, diversity, and other topics critical to the future of our University and our country,” he said.
Mr. Liverman made his statement at the opening of the Princeton Council meeting. “This past week my nine-year-old daughter asked me why the policeman could not let Eric Garner up when he said he ‘could not breathe,’” Mr. Liverman said. “My daughter also said other people could have helped. My heart is full and broken over what seemingly appears to be excuses for police brutality You don’t have to be a brain surgeon like my sister-in-law or a nuclear space physicist to understand that our system of justice for all is in trouble.”
He went on to praise Princeton’s police department “for being light years ahead of so many other police departments. “This Council understands and respects our police department,” he said. “We are lucky and blessed to live in Princeton during these troubling days.”