Students rally against Trump’s ‘Muslim ban’ on UCI campus
Non-students also showed up to speak to the crowd
Students gathered in front of the flagpoles to rally against President Trump’s most recent executive order. The “Muslim Ban” has blocked travelers entering from seven Muslim-majority countries, including refugees.
This rally comes on the heels of protests at several major airports as well as a more recent UCI protest. Protesters held up signs stating, “Jesus wasn’t white,” and “All humans are equal.” A backdrop banner was set up stating, “UCI against Hate #noban.” In between chants, the organizers invited people to speak to the crowd.
“Trump didn’t come up with this idea on his own,” One participant said. “He got the idea of the wall from Israel and he got the Islamophobia from the people before him. This isn’t new!”
Another speaker called for political participation. “They are trying to exhaust us [from protesting]. We need to be getting involved in the democratic process. We have to be in the room.”
The Muslim Student Union at UCI released a statement earlier publicly condemning the executive order. On part of the statement reads, “Ever since Trump became the president of the United States of America, he has been inciting more hatred against many minority groups. However, the recent protests at airports nationwide serve as a reminder that there is still hope and unity amongst this division. While the Trump administration’s executive order was put on hold by a federal judge, it is important to not stop fighting.”
“However, the recent protests at airports nationwide serve as a reminder that there is still hope and unity amongst this division. While the Trump administration’s executive order was put on hold by a federal judge, it is important to not stop fighting.”
Public Health Policy major, Nour Majzoub, one of the organizers of the event told The Tab, “All we’re trying to do is show the our campus community is going to stay united through this tough time.”