Students, faculty and staff from the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing will stand in support of Black lives and the need for social justice during the VUSN Social Justice Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., individuals will stand in the roundabout in front of the school in 8:46 minute intervals and at appropriate social distances. Participants will hold signs stating why they are participating and to indicate commitment to social justice.
“We’re holding the event to provide an opportunity for the VUSN community—and greater Vanderbilt community if desired—to publicly declare that we will not forget the deaths of George Floyd and other Black men and women,” said Rolanda Johnson, VUSN associate dean for equity, diversity and inclusion. “We’re asking volunteers to stand for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time that George Floyd suffered before dying at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. Our students weren’t on campus in June when other observances were occurring, so we wanted to hold an event once they were back in person.”
The event is being held with appropriate social distancing and attention to safety protocols. Participants will wear masks and are asked to avoid congregating, walking together or assembling inside school buildings at any time during the event.
To assist with social distancing, interested participants are asked to register for a time slot in advance using this form. The event is open to the Vanderbilt community.