A first look at student Responses
Angela Davis's highly anticipated visit to our campus unfolded as a chaotic affair, a testament to both the immense enthusiasm of students and the logistical challenges organizers faced. The event, scheduled to open doors at 6 pm, witnessed eager students lining up as early as 3 pm, creating an atmosphere of palpable anticipation. The first-come, first-serve entry system, alongside reserved seats for invited student organizations, saw approximately 2,000 students vying for a spot in the venue, Straub Hall.
Unfortunately, the venue's limitations became apparent as security and de-escalation teams estimated attendance, revealing a heartbreaking reality— the classroom could only accommodate 520 students, leaving hundreds disappointed and turned away. Students had raised concerns about the venue's capacity to handle the anticipated demand and engage with the diverse voices eager to interact with Angela Davis's insights; however, there are rumors that student organizers were blocked from reserving larger venues that could’ve accommodated demand.
The atmosphere inside Straub Hall, though initially electric with anticipation, grew increasingly uncomfortable. For those fortunate enough to secure entry through the first-come-first-serve system, the ordeal lasted close to six hours, an impossible barrier of entry for students balancing academic and personal commitments like jobs.
As the doors opened, a sense of frustration and urgency spread, with students who had waited for hours witnessing only a limited number gaining access. Students also reported seeing attendees associated with Organizations being ushered in front of students of color waiting for hours. As the reality sank in and Angela Davis began her introduction, students' desperate jeers continued to echo as the door opened and closed to let reserved members in, underscoring the heartbreaking frustration felt by the majority who showed up and could not participate. The incident unfolded against the backdrop of Davis's discussions on police brutality and prison abolition, adding a layer of irony to the scenario as those same denied students of color were then also met with police presence.
The scene outside the venue remained chaotic long after the speaking had begun, with students anxiously clutching their Angela Davis books, hoping to glimpse their icon. At one point, a student yelled momentarily as the door opened, "Angela, they are not letting us in," as the door shut. Angela Davis herself, witnessing the commotion, expressed regret and promised to meet with students afterward. However, UOPD thwarted her efforts as they showed up, summoned by the campus fire marshal, and intimidated the crowd, adding further tension to an already fraught situation.
As the panel concluded and attendees began to exit, frustrations boiled over, with one young woman rightfully questioning the hypocrisy of hosting a Black abolition icon while simultaneously calling the police on students of color showing support. The incident underscores more significant equity, access, and campus culture issues, prompting reflection on the challenges of organizing high-profile events amidst logistical constraints and systemic barriers. Angela Davis's visit, though stirring and impactful, also serves as a sobering reminder of the work yet to be done in creating truly inclusive and equitable spaces on campus.
In the aftermath, palpable frustrations lingered as attendees questioned the university's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment. The discrepancies in entry, the intervention of law enforcement, and overall organizational challenges underscored the complexities of hosting high-profile speakers on campus. Angela Davis's presence, while powerful, inadvertently exposed the need for a more inclusive and practical approach to accommodate overwhelming student interest in these transformative conversations, specifically for ADA seat accommodations, which there was reportedly not enough of, as well as capacity accommodations, as several students had panic attacks at the event due to the crowd growing out of control. This is in addition to the more significant need for our campus community to address discriminatory prioritization of students of color interests.
