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John,
This week, Tennessee State University, an HBCU that has nurtured Black brilliance for more than a century, was invaded by a group calling itself “Fearless Debates”. They weren’t there for dialogue. They showed up uninvited, wearing MAGA hats and waving signs that read “DEI should be illegal” and “Deport all illegals now.”
This wasn’t free speech. It was targeted harassment. It was an attempt to provoke, disrupt, and intimidate Black students on sacred ground. They wanted to get a reaction out of those Black students, so that they can keep fueling racism across the country.
TSU students met hate with strength. They conducted themselves with dignity and respect. That resilience is a testament to the legacy HBCUs have carried forward since their founding in the face of exclusion and violence.
But here’s the truth: Black students should never have had to endure this in the first place.
What happened at TSU is not an isolated incident. It fits a broader pattern: gutting DEI programs, banning Black history curricula, and now direct intrusions into our campuses. There is a coordinated effort to roll back progress and silence Black voices.
That is why Black Lives Matter is demanding that:
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University administrators, lawmakers, and community leaders strengthen security protocols at HBCUs
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Investigate whether this intrusion is part of coordinated targeting of Black institutions
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Provide immediate support to students who experienced harassment
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Reaffirm their commitment to protecting Black spaces and Black futures
HBCUs are more than schools. They are the living legacy of Black resilience, the incubators of Black leadership, and the foundations of Black liberation. We will not allow extremists to intimidate, disrupt, or diminish them.
If you believe in protecting Black students, Black spaces, and Black futures, make a donation today to support this work. Together, we will defend what our ancestors built and invest in the future our young people deserve.
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This isn’t a moment. It’s a movement. And we keep moving.
In solidarity,
Black Lives Matter
Our grassroots movement is pushing for Black liberation every single day. We are striving to create a world where Black people do so much more than just survive. It’s time we thrive.
As an organization one of our biggest hurdles is consistency.
A recurring contribution of anything you can afford goes a long way as we plan for the months, years, and even decades ahead. This is the most effective way for small-dollar donors (like you) to power our Black liberation work.
Will you make a recurring contribution of $5 or more today so that we can keep building momentum for our movement?
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