By Jocelyn Ramirez & Joseph Zuniga
On Friday, February 7, Dominican students protested against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the mass deportations occurring under the Trump administration.
Juniors Emma Sanchez and Abiola Fashawe organized the demonstration, which took place in the Social Hall at 1 p.m. and proceeded through campus for an hour.
While marching from Cyber Café to Parmer Hall, protesters chanted slogans such as “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here!” The event drew support from university administration and the Center for Cultural Liberation (CCL).
When asked about the inspiration for this protest, Sanchez said she was seeing countless TikTok’s of what was happening during the raids and “wanted to do something” with Fashawe to help the community and school.
Fashawe explained that the goal for the demonstration was to help people’s voices be heard.
“[We want to] let people know that they matter because we’re here,” Fashawe said. “We’re not going anywhere anytime soon… They should know that they’re safe in the perimeters of the school.”
While planning the event, both Fashawe and Sanchez faced challenges due to their busy schedules.
“Most of the things that [we struggled with was] trying to get the word out there,” Fashawe noted.
However, they utilized social media and campus organizations to spread awareness.
Some participants shared their own stories as Hispanics and minorities with immigrant parents.
Junior Grace Ayena, who was leading the chants, said she thinks “migration is an issue that everyone should have to tackle.”
“It’s not an issue of whether you have your citizenship status or not,” she says. “It’s an issue of humanity, because at the end of the day, no one can be illegal on stolen land.”
The protest also addressed several key issues affecting immigrants.
“I feel like immigrants, who are in school right now, have so much pent-up anger,” Fashawe highlighted. “[They] fear the fact that they might get deported and not be able to finish their current degree.”
“My main concern was families,” Sanchez said on the situation of family separation. “It’s hard seeing everything that’s going on because I know it’s not just my family. It’s affecting other families.”
Dominican staff expressed their strong support for the students’ actions.
“We have never come across students who are so passionate in making sure they use their gifts and talents to transform the world,” Andrew Mercado, director for University Ministry.
Ana Kelsey-Powell, associate director of the CCL, offered resources and encouragement to support students.
“We are here to help you exercise ways for your rights to let your voice be heard and seen,” she said. “As a human being, that is your right to be valued for exactly who you are.”
Looking ahead, Fashawe plans to work with UIA in the future to help spread “more awareness” as well as to host a celebration to honor immigrants.
This protest at Dominican reflects a broader trend of student activism against ICE raids and deportations across the United States.
Students seeking resources and ways to get involved can find information on upcoming workshops at the CCL’s front table, which is located in Mazzuchelli North 258.
Jzuniga1@my.dom.edu
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