Dance music vibrated within the walls of Boulder Theater Thursday night as Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence (SPAN) celebrated their mission to resist racism and injustice together with the community.
SPAN, an organization that started in 1979, held its second annual “Jam for Justice” with a diverse group of all ages, races and backgrounds.
“Jam for Justice” is a fundraiser for the SPAN organization that includes a presentation of awards, music and live dancing.
“This event is a great opportunity to celebrate people who are working towards justice,” said SPAN executive director Anne Tapp.
The evening began with awards that focused on Boulder-area police for their outstanding service and coordination with SPAN, while other accolades went to women whose exceptional commitments to social justice have helped the community.
One of these women happened to be CU student leader Mebraht “Mo” Gebre-Michael. When she accepted her award, Gebre-Michael spoke on the importance that events such as “Jam for Justice” have in connecting students with the community to help solve racism problems at the university.
Other CU support groups were present, including the Hispanic student group UMAS y M.E.Ch.A, the Student Outreach and Retention Center for Equity (SORCE) and the multicultural Asian interest sorority, Sigma Psi Zeta.
The entertainment of evening came in the form of music and dancing. A group of teenagers from different Native American tribes known as Denver Native Hip Hop showed off their break dance moves to music by DJ Tribal Touch, and the band the Atoll rocked away the rest of the festivities.
Although the “Jam” had music, food and dancing, Hana Pak, senior economics major and Sigma Psi Zeta member, still felt that there was room for improvement.
“The event was designed to all different ages,” Pak said. “But I wish I could’ve seen more students here at the event because I feel like this is a really important issue.”
As for the future, Tapp believes organized events such as “Justice for Jam” will only continue to grow.
“We’ll continue this as an annual event,” Tapp said. “It’s been an easy way to profile the way different groups connect through generations and cultures.”
To contact SPAN to report an abusive relationship or to request protection from an abusive partner call the 24-hour crisis line for support, 303-444-2424.
