OccupySLU 10th Anniversary Events Planned

10/11/2024

Saint Louis University will commemorate OccupySLU with a series of events the week of Oct. 14.

Here are the 10th anniversary events scheduled for the week of Oct. 14. 

Whose Streets? 

• Time and date: Noon on Monday, Oct. 14
• Location: Auditorium of the Center for Global Citizenship
• Event description: As part of the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary events, we will be hosting a screening of the documentary Whose Streets? to contextualize OccupySLU within the broader Black Lives Matter movement and Ferguson October.

OccupySLU to Repair DSLUE: Where Are We Now?

• Time and date: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 14
• Location: Auditorium of the Center for Global Citizenship
• Event description: The OccupySLU panel discussion marks the 10-year anniversary of the student-led OccupySLU movement, and the uprising that arose in the wake of the tragic shootings of Mike Brown and VonDerritt Myers Jr.

OccupySLU 10th Anniversary Opening Reception

• Time and date: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15
• Location: Auditorium of the Center for Global Citizenship
• Event description: This special event will commemorate the 10th anniversary of OccupySLU by unveiling a video that reflects on the movement’s lasting impact, featuring insights from key student, faculty, staff, and community organizers involved in the grassroots movement of OccupySLU.

MLK Scholars Teach In: OccupySLU and the Power of Student Activism 

• Time and date: 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15
• Location: Clock tower 
• Event description: This event led by SLU’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholars will highlight the critical role of student leadership in advancing social justice on our campus. This event will foster meaningful discussions on systemic injustice, reflecting on the significance of OccupySLU and the broader movement for racial and economic equity. The teach-in will underscore the transformative power of student activism and its lasting impact on the university's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Hearts on Fire: Prophetic Jesuit Voices from Ignatius to Today

• Time and date: Noon on Wednesday, Oct. 16
• Location: Room 102 of DuBourg Hall
• Event description: Hosted by the Division of Mission and Identity, this event will explore the enduring commitment of the Jesuit tradition to social justice, from St. Ignatius of Loyola to contemporary advocates like Fr. Heithaus. Through a thoughtful dialogue, we will examine how the teachings and actions of Jesuit leaders have shaped our understanding of justice work and continue to inspire us today.

10th Anniversary of OccupySLU: Prayer Service and SayTheirNames

• Time and date: 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16
• Location: Clock Tower 
• Event description: The Prayer Service and Say Their Names will include reflections on justice, interfaith prayers, and a communal commitment to advocate for systemic change. Participants will come together to remember those who have been affected by police brutality and to renew our dedication to fostering equity and justice within our community. This event aims to uplift the voices of victims and their families, emphasizing the ongoing need for accountability and reform.

Reflect, Reimagine, Renew: Reigniting the Flames of Justice through the Clock Tower Accords

• Time and date: 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17
• Location: Center for Global Citizenship Auditorium
• Event description: This event invites an open discussion focused on the future of the Clock Tower Accords, emphasizing our commitment to continuous dialogue rather than a one-time conversation. Attendees will engage in a meaningful exchange about the progress made under the Clock Tower Accords, sharing insights and ideas for moving forward. This gathering aims to renew our collective dedication to justice and equity on campus, fostering collaboration and accountability as we work together to uphold the principles of the Clock Tower Accords in our community.

Occupy SLU started in October 2014 with six days of peaceful occupation at Saint Louis University's campus clock tower that included daily teach-ins and community conversations, following the officer-involved shootings of two African American young men: Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and VonDerrit Myers Jr., the son of a long-time member of the SLU community, VonDerrit Myers Sr., in the nearby Shaw neighborhood of St. Louis.

Occupy SLU ended with the adoption of the Clock Tower Accords, a 13-point agreement committing Saint Louis University to actively strengthen diversity, inclusion and equity on campus. In the spirit of the Gospels, the Accords also extend that commitment to the city and suburban neighbors, particularly to underserved families.