WS Chronicle

In above photo: Over 150 people filled the Student Activity Center on the campus of WSSU on Thursday, July 9 for a viewing of the documentary Ferguson: A Report from Occupied Territory, and to discuss the Moral Monday March for Voting Rights. (Photo by Tevin Stinson)

By Tevin Stinson for The Chronicle

On Thursday, July 9, over 150 filed into the Student Activity Center on the campus of Winston-Salem State University to learn more and about the N.C. 2013 voter law and the Moral Monday March.

The turnout has sparked plans for more such meetings at WSSU.

During the town hall-style meeting, a documentary titled “Ferguson: A Report from Occupied Territory” was shown, followed by an open discussion mediated by members of WSSU Student Government Association.

The film, directed by Tim Pool, examines the problems of racial injustice in and around the town of Ferguson, Missouri.

In the documentary, Pool turns to the residents of St. Louis County to tell viewers what it’s like to be racially profiled.

After the film showing, community members and students from WSSU talked about how the struggles of the people in Ferguson relates back to the Moral Monday March and all it represents.

WSSU Student Body President Kyle Brown believes it is important for a younger generation to take charge and make a difference.

“The film was very powerful,” Brown said. “It is time for our generation to take charge of the movement. These laws that are set in place will affect us the most.”

The law being dubbed the “Monster Voter Suppression Bill” by the N.C. NAACP attacked young people’s right to vote by eliminating pre-registration for eligible 16- and 17- year-olds.

“I want young people to participate and get involved.” Brown said.

Linda Sutton, member and organizer for Democracy N.C., said the film showed her that this is not just about politics but quality of life.

“If nobody says anything, nothing will happen,” Sutton said. “We have to wake up and make a change not only with politics but quality of life as well.”

Democracy N.C. is a nonpartisan organization that uses research and organizing to increase voter participation and reduce the influence of big money in politics.

For over 20 years, Democracy N.C. worked to protect democracy in the state and promote citizen ownership of government.

After the town hall meeting, Demonte Alcord, first vice president of the N.C. NAACP Youth and College Division, talked about the schedule for the rally and how important it is to be educated on the case and get involved.

“We can’t just sit by and watch our rights be taken away from us like this,” Alcord said. “We will not just sit by and just watch times change. This is the new South, and I believe we can make a difference.”

The event was so successful that throughout the upcoming school year, the SGA of WSSU will hold similar town hall meetings to continue the discussion on racial suppression in the state and ways to extinguish it.

“I want to keep this going,” said Brown. “We will write down everything that was discussed here today and keep it for later discussions we have late in the year.”