Ohio State athletes, university staffers and OSU police came together on campus for a demonstration in honor of George Floyd and against racism on Tuesday night.
The demonstration, organized by Ohio State student-athletes, was one of many Kneel for Nine demonstrations that has taken place this week, a peaceful protest in which attendees kneel for nine minutes in solidarity and remembrance of Floyd, who was killed last week when a Minneapolis police officer held his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly nine minutes.
Staffers from The Lantern, Ohio State's student newspaper, shared photos and videos from the on-campus event, whose participants notably included Ohio State wide receiver C.J. Saunders, just one day after he was arrested for violating curfew in a separate protest.
#KneelForNine pic.twitter.com/LvFjUPzIJX
— Justin Fields (@justnfields) June 3, 2020
#kneelfornine underway @OhioState with @OhioStAthletics student-athletes, coaches, media, @OSUPOLICE joining together in kneeling for equality, solidarity and peace. pic.twitter.com/6m8dm6Xz59
— Nicole Kraft (@Nicole_Kraft) June 2, 2020
Ohio State student athletes kneel with OSUPD and members of the athletic department in solidarity following the death of George Floyd and other black Americans. pic.twitter.com/WDrNMJqe1t
— The Lantern (@TheLantern) June 2, 2020
C.J. Saunders, who was arrested for violating curfew Monday night, kneels among other demonstrators. pic.twitter.com/e7bDAH5Q9H
— The Lantern (@TheLantern) June 2, 2020
This is all of us against racism. This is all of us on the same team. -C.J. Saunders said at #kneelfornine pic.twitter.com/NpcgR7Llj4
— Keaton Maisano (@002kfm) June 2, 2020
More images from Ohio State athletics’ #kneelfornine pic.twitter.com/Q75eh6LOy6
— Keaton Maisano (@002kfm) June 2, 2020
In addition to Ohio State student-athletes, others in attendance for the demonstration included athletic director Gene Smith, university president Michael Drake, vice president of student life Melissa Shivers, director of player development Ryan Stamper, director of sports performance Mickey Marotti and assistant basketball coach Terry Johnson.
Proud of our student-athletes!
— gene smith (@OSU_AD) June 3, 2020
Thank you also to the staff, OSU PD, President Drake, VP Shivers and others who showed up to support Kneel For Nine, organized by our SAs! pic.twitter.com/1jp40cEAUj
