Morgantown, W.Va. — Morgantown is the most recent city across the nation to host discussions sparked after controversial police killings in Ferguson, Missouri and Staten Island, New York.
In both instances, charges were not brought against white officers involved in calls that resulted in the deaths of black men.
The West Virginia University College of Law is welcoming law enforcement, students, faculty and university organizations where they will be able to discuss facts, become educated on current issues and express their feelings regarding both highly publicized national cases of interest or issues in Morgantown and Monongalia County.
According to David Fryson, the WVU Chief Diversity Officer said the forum will be responsive and participant lead.
“We would like for the community to come in,” said Fryson. “So many times, people have opinions, but they don’t have opinions that are based on looking at a wide range of other opinions and conversations.”
Participants in the open forum include The Black Student Union, the WVU NAACP, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and organizations Culturas WVU and Campus Greens.
A grand jury in Ferguson decided not to indict police officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown on August 9, 2014.
Within weeks, a grand jury in New York did not bring charges against Officer Daniel Pantaleo after a scuffle that killed Eric Garner on July 17, 2014.
Fryson spoke on Metronews Talkline where he said the discussion agenda is not set, but it will be focused on recent national events.
“When you truly have a conversation, all issues are on the table. But, what I don’t want to do is to get so far afield that we are not discussing with the matter that is at hand right now,” said Fryson.
According to organizers of the Division of Diversity Equity and Inclusion forum, the goal is to provide a setting for attendees to openly discuss how recent events and the sometimes violent reaction to them makes them feel. Additionally, the hosts of the discussion hope for suggestions of proactive measures regarding crime and police interaction.
Fryson said day to day work is needed to change ideals but crisis often results in quick response.
“The real work comes when there’s not an incident. Because, now, when we have these levels of incidents we have to come up with an immediate thing to deal with the issue we’re in,” he explained.
A candlelight vigil will be held after the forum outside the WVU College of Law. According to the release, “This vigil will be held in remembrance of the black men and youth who have lost their lives at the hands of police brutality/excessive force.”
The forum, held in collaboration with the Division of Equity and Inclusion, Well WVU, The WVU College of Law, University and Morgantown Police and The Center for Black Culture and Research, will be Tuesday, December 9th from 7pm to 8:30pm.