Howard University Students Protest “Deplorable” Housing Conditions On Campus

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(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times)  Students “Tent City” set up  on campus of Howard University in Washington D.C. to protest “poor” living conditions in dormitories. 

By Gary  Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

WASHINGTON  DC  –  Students at Howard University, the historically-Black institution in Washington, D.C., have been camping out at its Armour J. Blackburn University Center to force administrators to address what they are calling poor dorm housing conditions, low availability of affordable off-campus housing , and a lack of student representation.  Howard students on social media recounted horror stories of rats, mold, roaches, ceilings leaking water in  dorms, unreliable, spotty  WIFI.   More than 100 students with the group Live Movement, an organization advocating for education reform and academic advancement, began protesting on Oct. 12.  Many students are righteously outraged by the third-world living conditions in one of the premiere academic institutions of higher learning in America where they are paying up to $40,000 per year to attend.  Howard U has one of the most famous alumni in America at the moment sitting in the White House – Vice President Kamala Harris.  Strolling through the beautiful Howard U campus is surreal with the proliferation of tents pitched on  neatly manicured lawns. It reminds one of migrant camps in Europe where immigrants seeking a better life live in limbo in tents.  This is a historic protest at the famous Black university.  The whole world is watching. 

(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times)  Students “Tent City” set up  on campus of Howard University in Washington D.C. to protest living conditions in dormitories.

The students who are protesting say they will not leave the building until campus officials agree to discuss their list of demands. Students have also been sleeping in tents outside the building as a form of protest despite the frosty, winter-like weather this week. 

Rev. Jesse Jackson Lends Support to Howard U Students – Injured in Fall on Campus 

Reverend Jesse Jackson was hospitalized overnight after he fell and hit his head while meeting with student protesters at Howard University on Monday Nov. 2.   The 80-year-old Jackson, who also suffers from Parkinsons disease,  and recently overcame a battle with COVID-19,  was discharged on Tuesday and went back to the  Howard campus to  continue the struggle in solidarity with students.  Jackson is a serious war dog! God Bless him. 

 

Howard University Says Protests Have Caused Employee Layoffs 

Howard University said employees have been laid off due to weeks of student protests against dorm housing conditions.  The HU statement sparked outrage on social media. 

Howard University Presidents Cancels State of University Address due to Protests 

However, the Howard University president is scheduled to deliver the address on Friday November 5.  Students hope to meet with the president at that time to discuss their issues. 

(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times)  Students “Tent City” set up  on campus of Howard University in Washington D.C. to protest living conditions in dormitories.

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