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SLU Commemorates OccupySLU 10th Anniversary

10/17/2024

Saint Louis University commemorated the 10th anniversary of OccupySLU with a series of events. 

President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., participates in a fireside chat with Alisha Sonnier, center, left, and Jonathan Pulphus, right, during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024.
President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., participates in a fireside chat with Alisha Sonnier, center, left, and Jonathan Pulphus, right, during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024.
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President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., participates in a fireside chat with Alisha Sonnier, center, left, and Jonathan Pulphus during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024.Photo by Sarah Conroy.
President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., participates in a fireside chat with Alisha Sonnier, center, left, and Jonathan Pulphus during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024.Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., takes questions from the audience during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., takes questions from the audience during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Participants watch the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024.
Participants watch the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024.
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Participants watch the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Participants watch the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Participants watch the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Participants watch the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., watches the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on October 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., watches the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on October 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Participants watch the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Participants watch the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Participants watch the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Participants watch the premier of the documentary OccupySLU: A Look Back during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Slide 9/12
President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., participates in a fireside chat with Alisha Sonnier, center, left, and Jonathan Pulphus, center right, during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., participates in a fireside chat with Alisha Sonnier, center, left, and Jonathan Pulphus, center right, during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Members of the SLU community participate in a teach-in during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Members of the SLU community participate in a teach-in during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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Members of the SLU community participate in a teach-in during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
Members of the SLU community participate in a teach-in during the OccupySLU 10th Anniversary opening reception on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sarah Conroy.
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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.

A number of events where held throughout October to remember OccupySLU. 

On Tuesday, Oct. 15, an opening reception took place in the Center for Global Citizenship. The event featured a fireside chat with Alisha Sonnier, Jonathan Pulphus, former members of Tribe X, and President Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D., moderated by Bukky Gbadegesin, Ph.D.

The event also featured the premiere of a documentary recounting OccupySLU. 

Other events held throughout the remembrance included an MLK Scholars Teach In, a prayer service and a discussion about the events.