Kyle Cave

Staff Writer

Since the start of April, America has seen many protests around the nation speaking out against the Trump Administration and its various actions. ESU has now joined the thousands of demonstrations around the nation, specifically for immigrants.

This protest was organized by Peter Oliveira, an ESU student, and Julia Cipparulo. Both of their goals are to bring attention to the ongoing mass deportations of immigrants in the country.

“We’ve essentially been used as this division tactic,” said Oliveira. “It’s horrifying. The administration is trying to keep us in line to stop us from speaking our voice, it just made us realize how badly we needed something like this.”

The protests took place in front of the Abeloff Performing Arts Center, signs were posted on the Abeloff windows. The signs read “Then they came for me, and there was none left to speak for me.” Another read “Evil thrives when good men do nothing, Congress wake up!”

Roy Ramos was in attendance and performed several songs, such as the 4 Non-Blondes song “What’s Up,” Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ Bout a Revolution” and more.

Philosophy Professor Storm Heter, who attended the protest, spoke with The Courier and gave students a word of advice on what he thinks they and the rest of the country should do, stressing community building and getting into local politics.

Heter also stressed education and learning media literacy. Heter says that what you see on social media can be “disorienting politically.” And how it’s important to talk to individuals in real life and learn more about racial issues and identity.

Along with the protesters, various speakers spoke, one of those speakers was Andrew Baranoski. Baranoski is one of the directors of the Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center (PIRC).

Baranoski said they are the only organization in Pennsylvania that provides legal restoration to immigrants in Pennsylvania. Baranoski now says those restrictions are no longer available. Baranoski also spoke of immigration detention and said it doesn’t require the government to provide individuals with any legal defense.

“Most immigrants in detention have done no crime except for existing,” said Baranoski. He also said that the cessation of legal orientation programs will involve “black sites across the United States.”

Baranoski, at the end of his speech, stressed staying involved in politics. “Remain active, let your congress people know, stay engaged.”

Julia Cipparulo was also one of the co-organizers of the protests who spoke to The Courier. Cipparulo says what’s happening to immigrants in this country is horrifying. Cipparulo also mentioned the infamous video of immigrants having their heads shaved in El Salvador.

“It’s so disturbing. It has to stop,” said Cipparulo.

Cipparulo also said the Trump Administration has become masters of misdirecting the public’s anger. Cipparulo also says that once people get out of a “us versus them” mentality, it’s more of “down vs up.”

After all the speakers spoke, the protesters marched from the university down the bridge and in a circle looping around back to the University. Oliveira and Cipparulo led several chants, including “no borders, no nation, stop the deportations!” “This is what democracy looks like!” and “Hey, hey here our call united we stand divided we fall!”