Члены законодательного корпуса штата Луизиана обсудили с жителями проблемы безопасности и инфраструктуры в Грэмингском университете

Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Holds Town Hall at Grambling State University MONROE, La. (KNOE) — A crowd of students and local residents gathered at Grambling State University today for a town hall meeting hosted by the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. The forum allowed the campus community to speak with state legislators, with attendees raising concerns about education, campus resources, and off-campus public safety. “We all are hurting we all are seeing the difference,” one forum attendee said during the opening public comment portion of the meeting. Discussion on Campus Infrastructure For Grambling State senior Kyntrell Beasley, the town hall was an opportunity to speak about the changes the university has made during his college career. Beasley recalled his freshman year experience with campus housing. “The dorm I was in, I’m not going to lie, the air quality, I could tell it was the difference. You know, I was constantly having headaches. I was like, I was getting sickly here and there and even, you know, something outside of my body wasn’t something usual of me.” Since then, Grambling State has made several campus infrastructure updates, including the opening of a new administrative and financial aid facility. “Now we just got this new building that opened up where our financial aid and other places going to move into and it’s beautiful. Like I mean, it brings like a whole new feel to the campus.” Dr. Markey Pierre, a member of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, stated that addressing campus facilities remains an active topic of discussion between state lawmakers and GSU administration. “Those are all current issues that we are working and discussing with the administration, with our legislature to provide all of the needs that are needed here on this campus and in this community,” Pierre said. Public Safety and Gun Age Proposal While Beasley acknowledged the physical updates on campus, he also raised a question regarding off-campus safety and gun laws. “Everything don’t need to be solved with violence, especially guns, because one thing, guns can take a life.”: “That’s one thing we’re battling with, the city is battling with so much, is the guns, and especially young men carrying guns.” Beasley asked legislators to consider raising the state’s legal gun purchase age from 18 to 21. Dr. Pierre responded to the proposal during the forum, stating that student input is a key part of the legislative process. “It’s important to make sure that our students know that look like me, that their voice matters, that their voice is important, and that we listen to what they are saying,” Pierre said. Beasley stated that having a platform to speak with state leaders makes him want to remain in the area after graduation. “Definitely, I’ll definitely stay somewhere like Grambling because I know I’ll still be somebody.” Pierre concluded the forum by reminding attendees that they can contact their local representatives directly to discuss community issues. Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.