Amir Ummah holds a sign reading “Stop Killing Us” at FAMU’s Eternal Flame during the Walk for Justice on Wednesday, Oct. 28. (Nia Sessions/FAMUAN Staff Writer)
Florida A&M University students walked from the Polkinghorne Village Breezeway to the Eternal Flame on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to honor Nolan Wells and stand against gun violence as a part of the Walk for Justice.
The FAMU Chapter of Helping Black Communities Unite Inc. hosted the walk, joined by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Student Government Association and Rise, bringing students together for a night of remembrance.
More than 50 people gathered at 5 p.m. to make posters before beginning the walk at 6 p.m., chanting “No justice, no peace.”
Miya Dennis, a third-year English student at FAMU with a minor in pre-law, serves as South Regional Director of HBCU Inc. She organized the walk to give community members a space to discuss their concerns.
“I realized it’s extremely important to have those types of events where you can speak with each other and actually talk about the events that happen. Even if it’s not an immediate action, it’s something towards change,” Dennis said
From left, Ianna McClean, Christian Hall and Camille Armstrong hold a sign reading “Black children deserve 2 grow old” at FAMU’s Polkinghorne Village before the Walk for Justice on Wednesday, Oct. 28. (Amiracle Baker/FAMUAN Editor)
Wells, an 18-year-old Mississippi student-athlete, vanished after celebrating July 4, 2026, with friends on Horn Island off the Gulf Coast. His body was found two days later.
A grand jury report released on Sept. 21 found insufficient evidence for criminal charges, citing circumstances consistent with drowning.
The state autopsy report, publicly released Sept. 24, classified his cause and manner of death as undetermined and noted bruising on the back of his head. His family continued calling for a federal investigation. His death drew national attention and prompted marches at HBCUs demanding answers.
Yerimiah Evans, a third-year political science honors scholar and president and founder of the civic engagement nonprofit Rise Tallahassee Incorporated, said the loss extended beyond one family.
“One man’s life being taken for senseless reasons affects all of us because it could have been us.” Evans said
For Evans, he believes the weight of Nolan Wells case changed how people feel in their own community and how their action starts with understanding justice.
“It invited fear into our lives, invited paranoia into our lives, but also, it invited a sense of action,” he said. “Justice is the system working as it’s supposed to work for everyone.”
By 6 p.m., the group had set off together for the Eternal Flame, where the walk ended with remarks from speakers.
Kennedy Williams, president of FAMU’s SGA, urged attendees to turn their calls for justice into action.
“History teaches us that justice is never handed freely,” Williams said. “So when I ask you, I say, what would you do for Nolan Wells?”
She said students’ participation demonstrated their commitment to confronting injustice.
“Today, Rattlers, we have shown that our character is not standing still in the face of adversity. Our character is standing up for justice and what is right,” Williams said.
Williams encouraged students to carry that commitment to the ballot box.
“And we must take this same energy that we have here today to the polls,” Williams said. “So as we leave here tonight, let us not leave our convictions and our hopes behind.