Several students at the University of South Carolina participated in a nationwide protest against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at the statehouse on Tuesday. Many protestors said showing up to the events meant showing unity with others who are fighting for the same cause as them.
“We have to show solidarity," Ethan Alexander, USC Alumni and communication administrator for the National Ground Game, said at the walk-out.
NGG is a counter group of Turning Point USA that has a chapter on USC's campus.
Party for Socialism and Liberation member Enid Campbell said a coalition of other organizations such as Midlands SC Defensa, an ICE watch hotline, and community members were also in attendance of the protest. PSL was one of the main organizers of this protest.
Demonstrators at the events throughout the day chanted and held up signs reading phrases such as "Abolish ICE" and "Students against ICE."
Statehouse protest
The protest resonated with first-year public health student Sydney Arriaga, whose family friend was recently deported back to Nicaragua.
Arriaga’s family friend was questioned by the police about a neighbor being robbed.
“They asked him for documentation ... and they took him in ... and he was eventually in ICE detainment for a couple of weeks,” Arriaga said. “He’s away from his family ... He was the one that maintained them.”
She hopes that with the protest, people will see that there are individuals looking out for the immigrant community and that they are not alone.
Anson Foster, a member of PSL, said this protest started when grassroots organizations, or community driven groups, started a call for a nationwide walkout. As ICE activity increases in cities around the country, such as Minneapolis, Minnesota, he feels it becomes urgent “for us to be out here today.”
Renee Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, was fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, according to the Associated Press.
Third-year advertising student Kenny Evers, from Minneapolis, said he showed up to the protest because of its ties to his hometown.
“I came out here to show support for my hometown,” Evers said. “I feel like I'm not doing my part because I'm not there to help everyone who is being affected.”
Third-year social work student Lily Gillam and third-year history student Lucy Strasburg said they came to the protest together to show that they support the immigrant community.
Gillam said because of the proximity of campus to the statehouse, USC students have better opportunities to make a difference.
“If you’re already positioned so close to where you can get visibility, then it can’t hurt to just contribute and help the cause,” Gillam said.
Student walkout
Prior to the protest, USC students held a walkout on Greene Street, where they held signs and chanted before walking to the statehouse together to together.
Second-year social work student Quinnie Mustian said the purpose of both the walk-out and protest was in response to recent Trump administration actions and events in Minneapolis.
“What's happening in Minneapolis could very easily come to South Carolina, and we don't want to stand with that; we support our immigrant neighbors and won't accept violence in our state,” Mustian said.
Alexander said the goal of the walkout was to inspire students who were not participating in the protests that it’s okay to have their voices heard.
“There are people who agree with us, but they may be scared to show that,” Alexander said.
Alexander said the walkout represents “civil disobedience” and solidarity with people who feel the same way about the current administration.
Second-year retail management student Joshua Alvertazzi said it’s important to take action and speak up at student-run events.
“Even if this doesn't physically stop anything, I feel like it's at least good to start raising awareness and help people band together to at least oppose what's been going on,” Alvertazzi said.
Campbell said the community has had an overwhelming amount of support leading up to the protest.
“We’re out here and we already have so many people that have shown up on a cold day to raise their voice,” Campbell said. “As these cars are passing by people are honking, people are showing their support.”