On Feb. 19, UO Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (UO MEChA) organized a campus-wide walkout and rally with intentions of showing solidarity through student unity for “the immigrants who fear retaliation, for the families at risk (and) for the dignity we all deserve.”
Associate Professor Juan Eduardo Wolf led a group of students in a traditional folk hymn in English and Spanish, called “I shall not be moved,” an empowering moment to unite all those who attended the walkout.
Maria Gaspar, the president of UO’s MEChA chapter, was one of the opening speakers for the rally and stated the importance of presence in community spaces to build a dialogue of resistance.
“This is bigger than just policy; this is about our right to exist in spaces that were never built for us, but that we have fought to claim … oppression comes in many forms — racism, xenophobia, sexism, classism, homophobia and so much more,” Gaspar opened the rally on a somber note, “And today, we stand against all of it.”
The rally itself drew over 300 students and community members, with various speakers from different student organizations, such as Black Male Alliance Club and Native American Student Union.
Emily Vasquez Silva, a sophomore at the Clark Honors College, attended the event because of her family. “As a daughter of immigrants, I wanted to do my part and show support for others in the same circumstance … I think it’s very important for us to show up for our community.”
Community organizers repeatedly stated the importance of showing up for the community, and this statement resonated with multiple attendees. Many have shown up because of past family or community, but many have shown up to build solidarity.
Benni Howard, a junior studying political science and planning, public policy and management attended and reflected, “I think it’s important to engage in civic events and engage in what impacts your community … there can be fear in a community but also courage, bravery and movement, and it’s important for everyone to be mobilized in acts of resistance”
One of the popular narratives online is a sense of collective fear of the Trump administration’s actions regarding immigration, however, this singular narrative leaves out the incredible actions of organizing and resistance among community members.
In an interview with Bri Garcia, UO MEChA’s financial director, she emphasized the importance of building spaces to have educational conversations around immigration and deportation and talk about what the Trump administration is doing and the impacts students are facing.
“So many people are with us, and they stand with us and they will continue to fight for us,” Garcia said.
Garcia elaborated on the importance of building spaces to bring awareness.
“I think people need to be aware that (immigrants) are the backbone of this country … we’re not illegal; everyone has immigrated to this country through generations.”
One of the main chants through the protest was “No one is illegal on stolen land” — a reference to United States occupation of indigenous land and a challenge to the concept of “illegality” of undocumented people.
“Overall, the last few days have been really hard hearing what’s been happening on the news,” Garcia said, mentioning the personal connection she has to her family’s immigration journey.
“My parents have always taught me to be a voice for other people … and for the last couple of days, it feels like my parents and their parents are being blamed for coming to the U.S. and setting up opportunities for their children. What’s so wrong with that? These are hard-working people.”
Gaspar ended the speech by saying, “This movement is powered by people like us, people who believe in justice, in dignity and in the simple truth that immigrants make this country stronger.”
And the crowd of students cheered in unison, showing that the community will not be moved.
