Atlanta University Center students marched to demand justice for Nolan Wells

ATLANTA — Thousands of students across the Atlanta University Center marched Thursday evening, Sept. 30 demanding justice for 18‑year‑old Nolan Wells, citing unanswered questions and a recent Mississippi grand jury decision that declined to bring charges.

Atlanta University Center Students Lead March for Nolan Wells

Students from Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Morris Brown College filled the campus walkways. They chanted “Justice for Nolan Wells” and “Black boys deserve to grow old,” echoing across the consortium.

The Spelman and Clark Atlanta NAACP chapters organized the march after a Jackson County grand jury declined to press criminal charges in Wells’ death.

Before the march began, a student leader prayed over the crowd and asked for protection for Wells’ family, Capital B Atlanta reports. Organizers said white supremacy in the criminal justice system prevented accountability.

Students marched from the Robert W. Woodruff Library to Morehouse’s King Chapel carrying signs demanding the investigation be reopened, per the outlet.

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Details of Wells’ Death

Wells, an 18‑year‑old from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, went missing over Fourth of July weekend after a boat trip to Horn Island. A park ranger found his body two days later along the shoreline.

Both the independent medical examiner hired by the family and the Mississippi chief medical examiner ruled the cause of death undetermined. The grand jury concluded the death was consistent with drowning and found no evidence of criminal conduct.

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Wells’ parents, said the grand jury report left the family with more questions than answers and accused officials of trying to close the case prematurely.

No arrests have been made.

Growing Pressure From Students and Organizers

Organizers called for a social media blackout to keep Wells’ name in the news cycle. They asked supporters to change profile photos and share verified updates.

Morehouse students told Capital B Atlanta they learned about the march on Fizz, a college‑based social app. They said speaking up for Wells is part of their responsibility as HBCU students.

Student organizations involved included:

• CAU NAACP
• Spelman NAACP
• Young Democratic Socialists of America
• Black Youth Empowerment Network
• Open The Floodgates Initiative and
• The Accountability Initiative

As the march ended, organizers said they will keep pushing for transparency. They argued Wells’ family deserves answers and vowed to continue organizing until officials provide them.