Tigers Join Princeton Community For Equal Rights March And Rally

On July 12, members of Princeton Athletics joined local community activists and leaders for a Black Lives Matter Equal Rights March and Rally in Princeton.

The First Steps.

Student-Athletes, coaches and staff from across Princeton Athletics joined community leaders for a peaceful and impactful march & rally in our hometown.

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— Princeton Tigers (@PUTIGERS) July 13, 2020

The event was organized by Shariese Katrell, a local equal rights activist, and Nakeisha Ammons from Black Mothers Rising. Men's volleyball head coach Sam Shweisky and softball head coach Lisa Van Ackeren helped connect Princeton Athletics to the event, organizing support from all Princeton programs and athletics administration.

Strong Leaders To Help Guide The Way

Sam Shweisky (@PrincetonVolley) and Lisa Van Ackeren (@PUSoftball) helped connect the Tigers with the community for this event. Elijah Barnes '21 (@PrincetonMBB) was among the speakers. pic.twitter.com/z9DuP33MTU
— Princeton Tigers (@PUTIGERS) July 13, 2020

Hosted in support of the nationwide effort to end racial and social injustice, Sunday's event brought together over 250 members of the Princeton community for a peaceful march and rally. The march started and ended at the Princeton YMCA, and was followed by an afternoon of speakers, song, poetry and dancing as part of community-building efforts.

Thank you to all who helped lead this event -- including lead organizer Shariese Katrell (pictured with Elijah) and Nakisha Ammons from Black Mothers Rising. pic.twitter.com/DCUuzruti0
— Princeton Tigers (@PUTIGERS) July 13, 2020

Elijah Barnes, a rising senior on the men's basketball team, was part of the speaker lineup and shared emotional stories of his experiences not only as a young Black man but from recent time spent supporting Black Lives Matter marches and rallies around the country.

A true community effort, other speakers included Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert and numerous musical artists including Ranjit Arapurakal whose performance of "Lift Every Voice And Sing" accompanies the video above.

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