Newark Residents Protest After Black College Student Found Dead: ‘What Happened To Nolan Wells?’

NEWARK, NJ — Activists and community members in North Jersey took to the streets earlier this week, rallying to demand answers to a common question: "What Happened to Nolan Wells?"

A march took place in Newark on Sunday as part of the "One March, 50 States" movement, which is demanding "transparency, accountability, and a fair and thorough investigation" in connection with Wells' death. Other rallies and vigils also happened at other locations across the U.S.

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Wells, 18, a Black college student, was found dead two days after a July 4 boat trip and party on an island off the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Investigators initially reported that there was no sign of foul play and that a drowning was suspected. In September, a grand jury declined to recommend charges in connection with Wells's death, finding no evidence of criminal conduct – although he was found with bruising on the back of his head.

Wells's family members and attorney have pushed back, claiming that the investigation was racially biased. This allegation – in addition to a photo of Wells surrounded by white friends on the day he went missing – have fueled intense speculation online and among advocates.

Since then, a call for more investigation has expanded out of Mississippi, including to New Jersey.

In Newark, advocates met at the Justice Statue on Walnut Street and marched to City Hall last weekend, holding signs that read: "Justice For Nolan Wells" and "I Did Not Drown."

According to organizers, the march was held to bring attention to the unanswered questions surrounding Wells's death and call for "transparency, accountability, and a fair and thorough investigation."

For Evelyn Green – a local parent of four Black sons – last weekend's rally in Newark was deeply personal.

"As a mother, I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child and then having to fight just to understand what happened to him," said Green, who helped spearhead the march.

"Nolan's mother deserves answers," Green said. "She deserves transparency. She deserves to know that her son's life mattered enough for every question to be taken seriously. We marched because no mother should ever have to fight alone for the truth about her child."

Green also said it's important to teach younger generations that their voices have power – several children and young people were present at the march – and that "meaningful change begins when ordinary people refuse to remain silent."

"We are teaching the next generation that silence should never be the response to injustice," she said.

Lawrence Hamm, chair of the People's Organization For Progress – which supported last weekend's march – said the group's members "join with the parents of Nolan Wells in the struggle for justice for their son."

"We believe as they do that their son did not accidentally drown," Hamm said. "We do not accept the findings of the grand jury."

"We want the whole truth, and all the facts related to his death to be brought to light," Hamm added. "And we want any person or persons found to be responsible for his death to be held accountable."

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