We spoke to the ASU students who organized the Love Trumps Hate protest
‘I expected like 30 people to show up but we had around 250 people’
College kids are not happy with the results of the 2016 election. Donald Trump as President does not fit the vision of a unified and inclusive country that this generation hopes it to be.
Like many other colleges across the nation, Arizona State, has decided to protest in order to have their voices heard.
On November 9th, Vanessa Villalobos, a sustainability major at ASU, organized a peaceful protest against Trump’s Presidency.
Vanessa said: “I couldn’t sleep. I could not stand by in fear that something was going to happen, especially because I could hear Trump supporters outside my window.”
In order to give a voice to the people that will be negatively impacted by Trump’s hate filled Presidency, Vanessa organized and Anti-Protest Rally where a gathering of 250 students marched the streets of University and Mill Ave.
“I’m here because I don’t stand for hate, it’s refreshing to see so many ASU students gathered together for the same cause,” said Erin Tilson, a senior at ASU who was taking part in the rally.
Trump achieved his victory by encouraging sexism, racism, and xenophobia throughout his campaign. The President elect’s campaigns were charge with hate speech and driven by fear which sometimes ended in violence for protestors who attended his rallies.
Like Erin, several students don’t stand for hate and will not support Trump in his presidency. Angelica, a sophomore at ASU, expressed her disappointment in the election:
“I guess how I felt about the election wasn’t even hurt for myself but for the country as a whole. I feel especially hurt because we failed to protect the people who couldn’t speak for themselves whether that be undocumented immigrants that couldn’t vote or children whose future we’re setting up.”
Although there was a common goal with the protest, a major challenge was keeping it peaceful and safe for everyone involved. Despite being given concise and clear directions by Randy Perez, an ASU student and experienced Democratic campaign manager, there were still possibilities of the protest becoming violent. According to Vanessa:
“I had a lot of fears in the protest, I was scared that it was going to get violent and people were going to get arrested.
“There was a group of individuals who were promoting violence in the back of the group and I tried to stop them but they just got even more aggressive so that was a bit worrisome.”
Randy agreed, saying: “The key factors in organizing people together are stating a clear goal and plan, building personal relationships quickly, coming off as respectful but passionate, and working hand in hand with law enforcement officials”.
To keep the peace amongst the crowd Vanessa and Randy remained diligent and checked on each individual in the march and promoted only positive chants. The Tempe Police asked that the protesters marched four across, this did not only comply with the Tempe Police but it also gave the organizers the opportunity to make sure everyone felt safe and respected. They made sure no one engage instigators, used violent or offensive language, and that everyone stayed on the sidewalk in order to comply with the Tempe Police Department.
Despite being tested by the infamous Brother Dean, a Trump supporter recently kicked off of U of A’s campus for violence, the majority retaliated only by chanting “Love Trumps Hate” as they passed him on the streets. The protest organizers were careful to use only positive chants that demonstrated the unity, love and respect that they are fighting for.
To reinforce the protest’s goal of unity and positivity, the protesters ended with the chant “Stronger Together”. Vanessa and Randy gathered everyone around the fountain at Old Main to express their gratitude and celebrate the success of the night.
“This was a pretty successful rally for such short notice and in a red state,” said Vanessa proudly. “I expected like 30 people to show up but we had around 250 people.”
In agreement Randy said, “I believe the protest was incredibly successful. We worked hand in hand with police and school officials to ensure safety, efficiency and order. The news coverage was generally positive and that is rare for protests.”
The unity the protestors experienced while peacefully did not only show a new generation of acceptance but also promised that they will not stand for the hatred that will change the country in the next 4 years.