Boise State University is investigating the vandalism of a Black Lives Matter float made for its Saturday homecoming parade.
“I learned this evening that a homecoming float built by the Afro-Black Student Alliance to raise awareness about the Black Lives Matter movement was damaged by vandals,” University President Bob Kustra wrote in a statement posted to Facebook. “Let me say unequivocally that I and all Boise State leaders condemn this act and any attempt to quiet the constitutionally protected free speech of students and others on our campus.”
News of the incident promptly made its way to social media, with many students, including Afro-Black Student Alliance president N’nandii Alexander, taking to Twitter to call out the vandals.
“Idk if I sound dramatic,” she tweeted. “But I’m HURT. my club members worked SO hard on that float you guys. And they vandalized it like it was trash.”
The University responded with it’s own tweet, assuring those upset by the vandalism that the incident does not reflect the school as a whole. According to the president’s statement, Boise State’s security team is already looking into the incident.
“We had the names of a few who had been killed such as Sandra Bland, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner…” Alexander told the Idaho Statesman. “Those balloons were popped and taken down. We had balloons with words such as ‘justice,’and ‘unity’ on them, and it looked as if someone tried to wipe the paint off. We had a beautiful sign that said ‘black live matter’ and it was nowhere to be found.”
Alexander added Homecoming officials initially said the damage on the float was caused by the wind, though she said none of the other floats were destroyed.
Still, the club joined together and rode their damaged float in the parade in hopes of sharing their message anyway.
“My members remained strong and wanted to show that despite the trials and tribulations we faced, we are proud to be members of Afro-Black Student Alliance,” Alexander said. “And we will not shut up.”
