Racial Activist Group Hosts Sit-In At U Of M
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A student-led group calling itself Whose Diversity? is hosting a sit-in on the University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus Monday.
According to a statement released by the group, Whose Diversity? is holding the sit-in at University President Eric W. Kaler's office in an effort to persuade change on campus.
Among their requests, the group is asking for renewed support of the Department of Chicano and Latino Studies, at least one all-gender restroom in every campus building and an end to racialized crime alerts.
In their statement, Whose Diversity? made reference to the 1969 takeover of Morrill Hall by the Afro-American action Committee. This demonstration by the AAAC helped spur the creation of the Department of African and African American Studies. The group hopes their actions will yield similar results.
The group is a student-led collective at the university. Their mission is "organizing to hold the university accountable to its stated commitment to diversity."
The University of Minnesota issued a statement Monday afternoon, saying "The University of Minnesota supports the right of free speech and peaceful protest and believes constructive, frank conversations are vital for addressing issues that affect the campus community. We share a deep and urgent commitment to increasing faculty, staff and student diversity and to creating a community that welcomes and embraces all experiences and perspectives."
The University said that the demonstrators brought eight issues to the table, which administration is discussing with them.
"Resolution may require partnerships with all parties working together to achieve a common goal," the statement said.