Protesters Halt Northwestern Athletic Facility Groundbreaking

Northwestern University’s Lakefront Athletics Facility groundbreaking was halted Friday afternoon as student protesters demanded a better school experience for black students.

“From NU to Mizzou we care about you,” more than 100 students chanted as they overran the ceremony and forced a 20-minute postponement during a speech from athletic director Jim Phillips, according to Inside NU. The protest was planned via Facebook to “stand in solidarity with” minority students in light of recent racial events at the University of Missouri and Yale.

According to Yahoo, the protests were related to the Concerned Student 1950 protests that began last week at the University of Missouri.

The protesters marched from The Black House, the school’s African American Student Center to the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, where groundbreaking on the $260 million athletics facility was taking place. Curtains and poles which had been set up for the ceremony were knocked down during the protest.

The protesters’ target was apparently University President Morton Schapiro, who they believe should be more active in creating a more welcome experience for students of color.

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg:

Northwestern president Morton Schapiro says despite the interruption students were brave for speaking out like they did.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 13, 2015