Black College Students March for Nolan Wells and Voting Rights 2026

Hundreds of Black college students marched for Nolan Wells and voting rights at Jackson State University on Wednesday, demanding transparency and justice in the deaths of young Black Mississippians. The rally, held on the historically Black campus, called for political engagement and an end to systemic violence.

March for Justice and Voting Rights

As the sun set, students clad in black wound through the campus plaza, chanting the names of five young Black Mississippians: Nolan Wells, Trey Reed, Tasia Fortune, Kohen Wiley, and Jaylen Lewis. Their ages ranged from one-year-old Wiley to 29-year-old Fortune. All died under suspicious circumstances or were killed by police. The march aimed to draw attention to these deaths and to galvanize students in the fight for voting rights and political accountability.

Camrynn Wimberly, a JSU student and organizer, called the event “the first step of advocacy.” The students ended their march at the Cofo Civil Rights Education Center, a site rich with historical significance as the organizational home for the Mississippi Freedom Summer of 1964, a student-led movement to increase Black voter participation during Jim Crow.

Historical Parallels and Modern Activism

The choice of the Cofo Center was deliberate. In 1964, the Council of Federated Organizations—a coalition of the NAACP, SNCC, CORE, and SCLC—coordinated efforts to register Black voters in Mississippi. Today, students face new challenges, including voter suppression laws and police violence. The march underscores the ongoing struggle for civil rights and the power of student activism.

“It could have been any one of us,” said one student, reflecting the fear and urgency felt by many. The rally also encouraged students to engage in politics, emphasizing that voting is a crucial tool for change.

Key Takeaways from the March

• Students demanded transparency in the deaths of five young Black Mississippians.
• The march highlighted the link between historical civil rights struggles and contemporary issues.
• Organizers urged students to vote and participate in politics to combat systemic injustice.
• The event took place at a site pivotal to the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer.

Comparing Civil Rights Movements

The table below compares key aspects of the 1964 Mississippi Freedom Summer and the 2025 JSU march, illustrating the enduring fight for justice.

Impact on Campus and Beyond

The march has sparked conversations about race, justice, and the role of young people in shaping policy. JSU, a historically Black university, has a long tradition of activism, and this event reinforces its legacy. Students left the rally with a renewed sense of purpose, vowing to continue the fight for equality.

As the nation grapples with racial injustice, the JSU march serves as a reminder that the struggle for civil rights is far from over. It also highlights the importance of voting rights, especially for Black communities that have historically been disenfranchised.

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