Stars Stand for Peace was an event organized by Celia Tedde, music theater/vocal performance junior, in response to the Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville.
Russ Tallchief, director of student engagement, inclusion and multicultural programs, said the event grew past simply being a response to the events in Charlottesville.
“It has grown exponentially as we have more things to respond to,” he said. “We have to respond to these things. We have to have an opportunity as a campus community to gather in a safe place and just talk about these things.”
Tedde said she reached out to peers, professors, administrators, and community partners. Eventually, it became a bigger event meant to show that OCU students don’t condone any sort of hatred in the world.
Those in attendance marched a lap around the quad in solidarity for the victims of hate-based violence and their families.
Some gave speeches on diversity, inclusion and interfaith work, while others recited poems and showed their artwork.
“It’s really been a blessing to see how many incredible people have come together to make this event happen today,” Tedde said. “I couldn’t think of a better place to do it than OCU.”
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