University students and community members of Champaign-Urbana will hold a public event Friday to demonstrate against racial discrimination by police enforcement in light of the recent deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner and Tamir Rice, among others. 

On Dec. 5, students from Centennial High School held a “die-in” demonstration, which was met with “criticism,” according to a press release. Students filed out of the building and walked onto Crescent Drive. Protesters encircled a vehicle when it attempted to drive through the students. One of the students struck the vehicle’s window, causing damage to the glass, according to a press release from the Champaign Police Department. 

Friday’s event aims to bring high school students together for the right to free speech.

The event will take place at 3:30 p.m. along Springfield Avenue from Lincoln Avenue to Prospect Avenue. 

The police department is still investigating Centennial’s student protest.

“As people continue to express their First Amendment rights, I encourage that they do so in a safe, organized and peaceful manner,” Champaign Chief of Police Anthony Cobb said in a press release on Dec. 8. 

Charlotte can be reached at [email protected].