Samaria Rice gives the Keynote speech at the 2015 May 4, 1970, Memorial in Kent, OH. She revisits the horrific day her 12 yr-old son, Tamir, was gunned down in their neighborhood park on November 22, 2014. She speaks about how difficult this has all been for her family of 4 remaining children. She outlines her commitment to work to stop police murder in this country and fight for justice for all. She calls on white-privileged Americans to stand with Black people in this fight. She states that racism is a disease that needs to be cured; people are not born racist. She indicts the murders of the Kent State and the Jackson State students, asking where are our first amendment rights to speak out. She outlines her vision for scholarships and a Foundation center for the youth.
Ms. Rice Says she is working with Freedom First out of Chicago and Black Lives Matter. She calls for broad unity to make changes for justice and for Tamir. She raises questions about how various abuses can go on in this country–no justice YET for the students murdered, how deadly force becomes a response of first resort instead of beanbags and tasers, or even calling her to come to the park.
She said she doesn’t sugar-coat things and she can’t be bought and sold. She expressed thanks for all the support she is getting from around the country.
This video is from Don Bryant.