The anniversary of Osaze Osagie’s death is approaching. It will be a ‘Day of Unity’ in State College
When State College residents gather March 20 to mourn the death of Osaze Osagie, a Black man shot and killed by police on that date 3 years ago, they’ll now officially be doing so on the “Osaze Osagie Day of Unity.”
State College Mayor Ezra Nanes issued a proclamation during Monday night’s borough council meeting, declaring this March 20 the Osaze Osagie Day of Unity and asking the community “to continue to work together in the spirit of kindness, compassion, empathy, respect and unity.”
Osaze’s mother, Iyun, thanked the mayor and borough for recognizing the anniversary.
“It is in the interest of all peoples of all persuasions to know and feel they belong to this town, unafraid and free to breathe,” she said at Monday’s council meeting. “Being a visible minority carries a special burden peculiar only to those who wear that skin. We have to make sure that we are free — free to live, free to breathe and free to love.
“I believe that love conquers everything. And, today, this show of unity is deeply appreciated. Love never fails.”
Osaze was shot and killed by police on March 20, 2019, after they arrived to serve a mental health warrant. Three officers were cleared of wrongdoing after accusing Osaze of running toward them with a knife. But Osaze’s family filed a federal lawsuit in late 2020 and alleged that former officer M. Jordan Pieniazek, who killed Osaze, exhibited a number of “red flags” and erratic behavior before the shooting — and exited a rehab facility only days prior.
Regardless of what exactly might have transpired, Osaze’s death struck a chord within the community. The 3/20 Coalition was formed by community members in response, organizing rallies, marches and protests. State College Borough Council established a Community Oversight Board to help oversee the State College Police Department. A $100,000-plus scholarship endowment was established. And the police department was approved to hire a social worker for short-term intervention, collaboration and police assistance.
Monday’s proclamation acknowledged “far too many Black families must bury their loved ones because of our society’s failings.” And it also stated that the life and struggles of Osaze, who suffered from mental illness, should be unifying “because it could be any one of us or one of our loved ones facing a crisis.”
“And yet, we often stigmatize mental illness when what we need to do is acknowledge how hard it is to face,” the proclamation continued. “It takes the whole of our community to make certain that those afflicted get the help they need.”
Tierra Williams, a member of the 3/20 Coalition, joined Osaze’s family in accepting the proclamation. She shared the group’s tentative plans for the anniversary, which included a 3.20 mile walk/run, a community gathering/social hour, a 2-minute moment of silence, a poetry slam, a program hosted by the Osagie family and a community concert.
More details can be found in the near future on the group’s Facebook page.
“The coalition has been adamant and has been pushing for change,” Williams said Monday. “And we appreciate all of the steps that the borough has taken with us to make that change. And we really do appreciate the proclamation.”
Other proclamations issued Monday included celebrating Tuesday as International Women’s Day and making March 31 the Transgender Day of Visibility. Carter Gangl, a representative to council from Penn State’s undergraduate student government, especially applauded the latter.
“As a non-binary student at Penn State, this is really impactful to me,” Gangl said. “And I know that a lot of individuals in the community are really going to appreciate you doing that.”
Councilman Divine Lipscomb noted that all three proclamations spoke toward the process of healing. He hoped that might act as a step forward for the community, “to begin having these conversations and making sure that we heal together.”
“That feels good,” Nanes responded, exhaling, before officially ending the two-hour meeting.
This story was originally published March 8, 2022 at 2:35 PM.
