In light of the past week’s election results, Shippensburg University students assembled tonight for a diversity and unity rally beginning outside of SU’s Old Main Fountain.
Earlier this week, a group of SU students, under the assistance of SU business professor Jerry Carbo, organized a rally and march across campus in support of minority groups and in regards to the rights they believe will need protection under a Donald Trump presidency. SU’s rally comes in the aftermath of riots that erupted in several American cities following Trump’s victory early last Wednesday morning.
“We felt the need for this type of showing because people should be able to feel safe [on SU’s campus],” Carbo said. “We will stand with them, we will stand for them and we will stand against that type of violence.”
Beginning at 4:45 p.m., SU students, faculty and members of the Shippensburg community made their way to the front of Old Main where the crowd began to march in silence towards SU’s Ceddia Union Building’s (CUB) amphitheater. During the march, handmade signs were held up containing messages such as “Support Love” and “End Islamophobia.”
Carbo said SU faculty members were placed throughout the crowd to serve as mediators in case the group encountered any hecklers during the walk from Old Main to the CUB.
“I’m here to show solidarity for disenfranchised minorities,” SU student Ian Davies said. “This is a really hard time for a lot of people, and I’m just here to show support.”
Once the protesters arrived at the CUB, speakers were placed for students and faculty to share words of support. Although several SU students were preselected to speak, an open mic was held afterward for the other students and faculty in attendance.
“As an active member of the LGBT community and vice president of Student Government, I will do everything in my power to protect the minority groups on this campus,” SU student Trent Bauer said.
SU student Marcus Watkins said he has experienced adversity his whole life, particularly within his own family. Watkins said the conflicts in his personal life have made him more aware of prejudices that exist in the rest of the world.
“Seeing all of the tension, the push and pull, it hurts,” Watkins said. “Us in the minority can only do so much to fend for ourselves. Once all of these minorities are gone, they’ll make a minority out of you.”
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