Baton Rouge youth successfully lead thousands in peaceful march
BATON ROUGE, LA (July 12, 2016) – This past Sunday, several Baton Rouge Youth Coalition (BRYC) Fellows joined the international movement against police brutality, leading more than 1,000 people in a peaceful march in downtown Baton Rouge.
Three incredible Black females – Myra Richardson (17), Raheejah Flowers (15), and Jeanette Jackson (15) – came together on the night of Alton Sterling’s death at the hands of police and formed THE WAVE out of their collective heartache, passion for justice, and concern for their community. THE WAVE is a youth-led organization that seeks to galvanize young people in Baton Rouge and across the country to stand up to injustice and make change.
On the night of Tuesday, July 5, THE WAVE put out the call on social media for action to address what was happening in their community. Their vision was for high school students from all over Baton Rouge to join together in peaceful protest. By Thursday, July 7, people from all over the country were mobilized.
Several adults answered the call and came to support the youth with their hearts, expertise, time, and solidarity. They partnered with the BRYC staff to ensure THE WAVE’s vision would be realized. They are:
- Dawn Collins, East Baton Rouge School Board Member-District 4
- Ada Goodly, National Lawyers Guild
- K Jackson, Black Youth Project 100
- Rosie Washington, The Micah Project
- Tesia Burton, organizer
- Desmond Collins, organizer
- Dmitirus McGruder, Dadrius Lanus, and Alvarez Hertzock III, Southern Law Youth Network
- Kids Rethink New Orleans Schools (Rethink)
Without these seasoned organizers, Raheejah, Jeanette, and Myra’s vision would not have materialized. BRYC’s staff, BRYC’s youth, and THE WAVE will forever be indebted to these organizers who helped ensure a youth-led, youth-centered space and consistently espoused the values of non-violence, cooperation, and solidarity.
BRYC is also indebted to the countless other organizations and individuals that supported the march with monetary and in-kind donations.
Lucas Spielfogel
Executive Director
