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Temple 'die-in' briefly shuts down Broad Street

At Temple University, in the latest protest demonstraton in Philadelphia, almost 100 students staged "die-in" to "shut down" Broad Street at 4 p.m.

Michael Larmond,23,  leads protesters down 13th Street to the Temple Student Center for next “die-in” demonstration. Sofiya Ballin/Staff
Michael Larmond,23, leads protesters down 13th Street to the Temple Student Center for next “die-in” demonstration. Sofiya Ballin/StaffRead more

At Temple University, in the latest protest demonstraton in Philadelphia, almost 100 students staged "die-in" to "shut down" Broad Street at 4 p.m.

Student and organizer of the Phillip Ogunleye, 22, is a public health major who after the grand jury decision to not indict officer who put Eric Garner in a chokehold says it was then he decided

"I have to do something today was the day I decided to take a stand," said Ogunleye.

He says he chose Broad Street because "people are impatient," he wanted to interrupt commuters just enough to spark important discussion.

Students laid in the center of the busy intersection for 4.5 minutes, halting traffic and curious pedestrians. This is the second part to a series of "die-in" protests held by University students.

On Thursday, almost 200 students gathered at one of the University's most populous areas: Liacouras Walk.

After huddling together, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity brothers and protest organizers, Mathos Sokolo,22, and Michael Larmond,23, reminded student protestors that their acts were in commemoration of Mike Brown and now, Eric Garner.

"Temple wasn't doing enough in terms of speaking out against the injustice," said Larmond. "We have a sizeable black population compareed to other schools in the city so I feel it was our responsibilty."

As protestors gravitate to the center of the walk, Sokolo reminds them that though they may be faced by individuals with differing opinions, protesters must remain peaceful.

"At the end of the day we're all human and the smallest thing could tick somebody off," said Sokolo. "We need people to understand it's a peaceful protest."

Larmond and Sokolo go over the different locations where students will be conducting the "die-in", the first drop will be where they stand.

On command at 12:25pm students laid in the center if Liacouras Walk for 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Students were given red napkins to cover their faces and some had their mouths taped and hands bound. The napkins represented blood, Larmond says, "to show that it could be anyone."

Students then marched to Paley Library chanting "No Justice, No Peace!" as university police look on. The swelling crowd of protesters enter the quiet library chanting "Black Lives Matter!" before collapsing to the ground at 12:35pm for another 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Onlookers watch in amazement and even for a library, the silence is deafening.

Brianna Stevenson,19, organizer and student says the goal was visibilty and to hit "the most congested placeas at the most congested times."

Larmond and Sokolo then led the protestors out of the library as they chant, " Black Lives Matter, All Lives Matter!" Student Protesters then take to the street marching down 13th street, officers scramble to redirect traffic. Protesters have their hands up as they march to Howard Gittis Student Center. Outside of the student hub, they collapse at 12:55 for another 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Bikers halt in their tracks and students in commute take out their phones to take pictures, some join the protesters.

"We got a lot of new supporters," said Stevenson. "We originally started off with black organization leaders but then we had other supporters joining in, wanting to exchange numbers and to be apart of it."

After, the crowd marches into the Student Center where Larmond and Sokolo conclude with parting words and plans to mobilize in the future and create a city-wide protest.

"This doesn't end today," Larmond tells the crowd of student protesters.

Sokolo, a Philly native,who says he's experienced racial profiling by the police told the crowd, "This is for our future children."

They end with a prayer for the families of Mike Brown, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice and Trayvon Martin. They will be holding a vigil at the Bell Tower at 6pm, on Tuesday December, 9 to commemorate victims of police brutality and gun violence.

"The question of diversity has been a hot topic for a long time and sometimes we don't come together," Stevenson said of her university. "To see everyone together, united for a cause was great."

sballin@phillynews.com

215-854-5054 @sofiyaballin