Northwestern's Friday groundbreaking of its Lakefront Athletics and Recreation Complex was interrupted by student protesters.
The protests were related to the Concerned Student 1950 protests that started at Missouri last week. You can see a Concerned Student 1950 sign in one of the pictures below.
Bizarre scene at Northwestern athletics facilities groundbreaking event as protesters have taken over the floor. pic.twitter.com/nKt8UCeAEP
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 13, 2015
The students here are outlining demands to improve the black student experience at Northwestern. pic.twitter.com/6JpgGYBx1L
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 13, 2015
Crazy scene here at NU. >100 black students overrun groundbreaking chanting for solidarity w/ Mizzou protests pic.twitter.com/NQoNMscoon
— Danny Ecker (@DannyEcker) November 13, 2015
The protesters initially gathered behind a curtain and chanted. then they stormed in as athletic director Jim Phillips was speaking.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 13, 2015
Students chanting "From NU to Mizzou, we stand with you" Now filing out of complex w/ "Black lives matter" chant pic.twitter.com/GMJiBAX1Ls
— Danny Ecker (@DannyEcker) November 13, 2015
After the protests dispersed, Northwestern's president commented on their bravery.
Northwestern president Morton Schapiro says despite the interruption students were brave for speaking out like they did.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 13, 2015
Protests about racial inequality have spread across college campuses after the Missouri protests became a national story. Mizzou football players said they were boycotting football activities Saturday night because of a hunger strike by a protester at Mizzou. After Missouri president Tim Wolfe resigned, Jonathan Butler ended his hunger strike Monday morning and Missouri players announced they would return to football activities.
Construction is expected to begin as soon as possible on the facility, which will house the football team's new athletic headquarters upon completion.
[Check out Dr. Saturday on Tumblr for things you won’t see on the blog]
- - - - - - -
Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!