March 14, 2025
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Photos: Group gathers for social justice, paints 'Black Lives Matter' on street at NIU

The Northern Illinois University Center for Black Studies and the College of Visual and Performing Arts hosted an event promoting social justice Thursday on campus. The event featured music and encouraged attendees to join in on the painting of "Black Lives Matter" on Castle Drive Near the main entrance to the university.

By Mark Busch

Participants get close to finishing up the Black Lives Matter painted across Castle Drive Thursday near the entrance to the Northern Illinois University. (Mark Busch)

Participants get close to finishing up the Black Lives Matter painted across Castle Drive Thursday near the entrance to the Northern Illinois University. (Mark Busch)

Reggie Thomas, coordinator of Jazz Studies at Northern Illinois University, talks Thursday about the importance of gathering together and the symbolism of painting Black Lives Matter on Castle Drive at NIU in part as a response to a recent incident where a racist slur was found spray-painted on the street in front of NIU's Center for Black Studies. (Mark Busch)

Finlay McElmeel, (left) a junior from Wonder Lake, along with over 100 Northern Illinois University students, staff and members of the community gathered on campus Thursday to paint Black Lives Matter on Castle Drive near the entrance to the university. (Mark Busch)

More than 100 Northern Illinois University students, staff and members of the community gathered on campus Thursday to paint Black Lives Matter on Castle Drive near the entrance to the university. (Mark Busch)

Music played by Northern Illinois University students and faculty entertained more than 100 people who gathered on campus Thursday to paint Black Lives Matter on Castle Drive near the entrance to the university. (Mark Busch)

Emma Mansfield, (left) a freshman from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Emma Vaughn, a freshman from Austin, Texas, do their part as over 100 Northern Illinois University students, staff and members of the community gathered on campus Thursday to paint Black Lives Matter on Castle Drive near the entrance to the university. (Mark Busch)

Participants work on part of the Black Lives Matter that was painted across Castle Drive near the entrance to the Northern Illinois University Thursday. (Mark Busch)

Over 100 Northern Illinois University students, staff and members of the community gathered on campus Thursday to paint Black Lives Matter on Castle Drive near the entrance to the university. (Mark Busch)

Angie Redmond, a graduate student from Maywood, puts down the first stripe of paint on a large Black Lives Matter painted across Castle Drive near the entrance to Northern Illinois University Thursday. The event drew dozens from the university and the community. (Mark Busch)

Northern Illinois University students paint Black Lives Matter on Castle Drive near the entrance to the university. A group of more than 100 students, faculty and community members gathered for the event Thursday. (Mark Busch)

Mark Busch

Mark Busch

Mark has won dozens of awards as a photographer and has several years experience delivering quality, informative and engaging photojournalism to the readers. To purchase photo reprints visit https://photos.daily-chronicle.com/. Twitter @Mark_R_Busch.