SU NAACP rallies for student debt cancellation in DC

(Left to right) Makaila Nance, Joshua Weeks and Dorien Rogers demonstrate on the Supreme Court steps Feb. 28. Image courtesy of Liam McGinnes

Over 500 people demanded student debt cancellation on the steps of the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., Feb. 28.

NAACP organized the rally in response to the Supreme Court hearings of Biden v. Alaska and Department of Education v. Brown, regarding President Joe Biden's plan to forgive up to $20,000 in debt for Pell grant recipients and up to $10,000 for other students.

Three members of Salisbury University's NAACP chapter attended the rally with a staff supervisor and other students. SU's representatives of the historic social justice coalition are among over 2,200 nationwide chapters.

Chapter Historian and Public Relations Officer Joshua Weeks said the group continues an ongoing fight for justice.

"We are an organization that fights for human rights for all," he said. "We fight for all oppressed groups with hopes of bringing awareness and education to all social justice issues."

Picket signs for debt cancellation lean on the fence of the closed Supreme Court building. Image courtesy of Liam McGinnes

The student debt crisis impacts 43.5 million borrowers in the United States, owing an amount of $1.6 trillion in student debt. Weeks said it has even more significant impacts on Black borrowers.

"Yes, it's a human rights issue, but a racial justice issue as well," Weeks said. "Black people are disproportionately affected by student debt."

Weeks said seeing some of his favorite social justice leaders speak to impassioned demonstrators inspired optimism for progress.

Student demonstrators from NAACP and Alliance for Justice rally on the Supreme Court steps. Image courtesy of Liam McGinnes

"To have all of us together – that's Black excellence, that's Black power," he said.

Former chapter President Dorien Rogers spoke alongside Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights Director Cedric Lawson, Senator Bernie Sanders and House Representatives Ilhan Omar and Ayanna Pressley.

Scattered signs used by demonstrators at debt cancellation rally. Image Courtesy of Liam McGinnes

"First and foremost I wanted to remind you all of something," Rogers said. "Even though the [Supreme Court] doors are shut ... court is now in session."

Rogers said the constitutional plan is an "investment to lay the foundation for the next generation."

"The mission continues as we look to cancel the intersectionality of student debt."

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By LIAM MCGINNES

News editor

Featured images courtesy of Liam McGinnes