Dozens of students at Southern Utah University gathered yesterday to protest the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The Latin Student Alliance at SUU held a peaceful protest in response to recent ICE shootings.
Participants wore blue to honor 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was detained by ICE along with his father but was later released. Liam was pictured wearing a blue bunny hat while standing next to an ICE vehicle in Minnesota.
The students carried signs, played instruments, danced and spoke to students passing by. Students chanted “no hate, no fear” and “no more violence, no more hate, immigrants make America great.”
One protester said that fear motivated their participation.
“I have friends who are also really afraid of being deported and being harassed by people who don’t believe that they are legal citizens. It’s horrible.”
Another participant said he protested because he felt that ICE acts unjustly.
“I’m a member of every privilege group that has ever existed,” the student said. “I say we always need to fight unjust authority.”
Not all students at the protest shared the same views. One student with an opposing message criticized the protest.
“Right here are people fighting for people who resist arrest and are killed for it. Resisting arrest is a threat to the officers and should be responded to as such.” The student said their attention should instead focus on issues like prostitution and pornography.
This protest was one of hundreds held nationwide in response to recent ICE shootings in Minneapolis and immigration policies.
“We appreciate everyone coming out and using their voices to express how they feel in a safe manner,” said Heather Ogden, Dean of Students. “SUU promotes free speech and we hope to see healthy civic dialogue on campus.”
Author: Melodi Brooke
Photos: Gannon Lovisa
Editor: Hannah Clove
news@suunews.net
