About 100 people joined in solidarity to support Syrian refugees on the lawn between the Lillis Business Complex and Knight Library on Monday, leading to a march down 13th Avenue and statement against xenophobia.
“Solidarity is contingent on action and being in the cold and marching is important,” student volunteer Cholena Wright said. “It’s a small taste of what you can imagine refugees feel in the winter.”
The rally started with speeches from Elizabeth Vargas, co-leader of Global Zero University of Oregon and Wright, which ignited conversations between the supporters until Vargas led a march down 13th Avenue. The event lasted for about an hour, but several supporters remained in discussion after it ceased.
“When refugees are under attack, stand up, fight back,” marchers said.
The event was organized by Vargas and sponsored by both UO Beyond War and Global Zero. People were able to sign a petition that pushes for a bill that would increase the number of refugees in the country from 10,000 to 65,000.
“France is taking in 30,000 refugees and we’re basically closing our borders,” Vargas said. “People are saying, ‘Oh, (the current refugee restrictions and vetting process) makes it harder to get in,’ but it makes it impossible to get in.”
On Global Zero and UO Beyond War’s Facebook event page for the rally, Vargas said she and her team had to spend a day taking down negative comments regarding the issue.
“Everybody who is an individual should take a look at themselves and ask themselves if what they feel is really just fear,” Vargas said.
Vargas said the groups made a point of saying nothing disrespectful would be tolerated at the rally.
Luke Pickrell, treasurer of UO Beyond War, said there is not necessarily a future planned event in response to this one.
“The next step would be in general to continue to have this issue be something the public is aware about,” Pickrell said. “It’s so important for students to come together and use the strength we have in numbers to have discussions and speak out.”
Wright said there are other ways of supporting refugees, especially as the world inches closer and closer to winter.
“I am encouraging people to donate whatever they can to refugees,” Wright said. “We can forget that a lot of people are freezing and suffering.”
Vargas said she hopes to set an example for others that hope to make change. When Vargas gained the momentum to start the rally, she said she was angry after reading a news article and was going to do something about it.
“As an individual, never be afraid to stand up,” Vargas said. “Never do something out of fear.”
Now, the groups plan on spreading their petition in support of more refugees to other events, moving forward politically.