Although Jason "Quddus" Archie is still locked up in a state prison more than 75 miles from his friends at SF State, he is not alone, at least not in spirit.
Close to 100 people attended a benefit concert in his honor Friday night to show their support for Archie and to help raise money for his legal fees.
The event, sponsored by the Pan Afrikan Student Union and the Afrikan Student Alliance, and organized by Troy Buckner-Nkrumah, was held at Jack Adams Hall in the Cesar Chavez Student Union.
Although the concert was free, Archie supporters donated what money they could and donned red arm bands to celebrate their solidarity.
"Red in the Native American tradition stands for unity, solidarity," said Percy Lezard, a women and urban studies major. "In some territories, red is also for people of color, it's a symbol of power."
Inside, flags from a myriad of nations draped the walls, surrounding concert-goers with a rainbow of colors and patterns. A giant black fist towered over the stage, rising up as it broke free from the chains around its wrist. "Free Quddus," the banner read.
As technicians and band members hurriedly worked to start the show, men and women with Qs drawn on their hands in black felt-tip marker talked about Archie and his incarceration.
Associated Students President Kenyan Mcarthy sported a Q on the back of his right hand.
"I've always had a good relationship with Quddus," Mcarthy said.
He said Archie's arrest is an issue he would like to bring up at one of the AS meetings.
"I think AS should definitely get involved when a student is taken from a classroom -- any student," he said.
Before the show, Buckner-Nkrumah joked with the crowd: "We didn't get the turnout we hoped for but what do you expect from SF police state."
He said later that he understood the difficulties people faced getting there Friday night since SF State is a commuter school and it was raining.
"Considering the turn-out," he said, "It was pretty successful."
According to Buckner-Nkrumah, $647 was collected at the door and from Student Center vendors. He said that many students who were not able to show up for the concert promised to bring in their donations later.
He is hoping that some of the ethnic studies programs will make donations as well, and said he will set up a table in Malcolm X Plaza next week.
According to Herman Franck, Archie's attorney, $3,353 still need to be raised.
The second of several groups which performed Friday had just recently gotten together.
At Buckner-Nkrumah's request, five students united their vocal talents a day before the concert and formed a group called The Overnight Players. Two members of the impromptu quintet wrote the song "True to the Game" with Archie in mind.
"Quddus was the first person I met on campus," said music major and songwriter Ray D.O. "When he approached me he was authentic, he showed me how to register and where the Student Union was.
"He's authentic. He's 'true to the game,'" he said.
"We were just thinking the song fit Quddus," added Joey Quanga, the other songwriter. "He always made sure people were true to themselves and fought for what they believed in."
Later, two of members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority stepped to the stage and rapped in support of Archie.
"Unity is the Key -- Quddus will be free!" they chanted with the music.
After the set, they pledged to raise funds for Archie's legal fees from other AKA chapters.
In between sets, audience members danced to reggae and munched on food donated from student center vendors including Natural Sensations, the Gold Coast Grill and Cable Car Coffee.
Some of the supporters saw beyond Archie's immediate plight.
"I came here to show support for the fact African people are being persecuted all over the planet for standing up and calling injustice by its name," Shawn Guthrie who was visiting from off campus said.
"This is a positive thing," added Langston Edwards, an economics junior. "I'm glad to see people came out for this. Usually people are apathetic about this stuff."