Belmont University refuses to say #BlackLivesMatter. Why? Because Belmont receives money from a For-Profit prison company named CoreCivic. By participating and even leading a task force for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), CoreCivic has pushed bills like 1) truth-in-sentencing and 2) three strikes, harming the Black Community at an exponentially higher rate. 

Nationwide one in 17 White men will do prison time, compared to one in three Black men. 

CoreCivic isn't know for their great treatment of prisoners. CoreCivic won't disclose the details of lawsuits they've faced, but data collected from Prison Legal News of around 1,200 cases gives us a snapshot of life inside the prisons, including lawsuits against CoreCivic for civil rights and prison conditions, injuries, medical care, physical harassment, use of force, sexual assault, deaths, and sexual harassment. 

Belmont University's President has stated that he believes "CoreCivic does a better job at operating prisons than various government entities" BUT, between 2014-2019 there were twice as many homicides in Tennessee CoreCivic run prisons compared to state-run facilities. A recent audit in those same facilities revealed mishandled abuse claims, gang activity, and staffing shortages. 

Belmont is deep with CoreCivic: 

The CEO of CoreCivic, Damon Hininger, sits of the Board of Trustees. 

John Ferguson, previously a Chairman for CoreCivic, sits on the Board of Trustees.

Andrea Overby, whose husband is on the board at CoreCivic, sits on the Board of Trustees. 

As students and alumni of Belmont University, WE DEMAND AN END TO THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN BELMONT AND CORECIVIC. Belmont University's core values are in direct conflict with those of CoreCivic. This partnership spoils the reputation of our university in its commitment to the community.