A student-led walkout occurred on Feb. 3, performed as a protest to the current Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in Springfield OH. There are several angles to the conversation.
Details of the protest
On Tuesday, Feb. 3, a walk-out protest was held at Wright State University (WSU) by the Social Work Club and the Ohio Student Association (OSA). The walk out was done in the name of keeping ICE off of WSU campus, as well as protesting the recent events surrounding ICE in Minnesota. The protest lasted from 2 to 4 p.m. and invited students and faculty to participate.
According to OSA President and WSU social work student, Rochelle Woodson, the protest had a positive turnout, as most who showed up came to support the cause. Those who showed up were there to share their opinions.
“It was productive,” Woodson said. “We wanted to provide those who were angry with an outlet to let that anger out [and] let their voice be heard. I think that we achieved that goal.”
The goal of the protest was to show WSU that students do not want ICE agents on campus. However, due to the nature of public education, it is a very delicate issue for WSU.
School response
The topic of the ICE protest was brought up at the Student Government Association (SGA) meeting held on Feb. 10.
According to SGA Vice President, Eimaan Virani, there are a few factors that are very delicate when discussing ICE on campus.
“We have done a lot of background research and asked our constituents, our international students, how we can serve them. What we’ve heard is that we don’t want to bring unwanted attention towards them,” Virani said. “What we’ve heard is fear, and if SGA were to take a very public ICE stance, it would be very counterproductive.”
SGA asserts that, as a student representative organization, they are trying to propose ideas for change, while also keeping the delicate nature of the situation intact.
“Grazier Bolha, our College of Liberal Arts senator, is currently writing a resolution asking university administration in them to inform students when ICE is on campus,” Virani said.
SGA also urges students to utilize on campus services, like legal services, to learn their rights. Virani is currently working on an event to educate students on their rights, and more information will come at a later date. Additionally, they urge that in these times, students should also reach out to Counseling and Wellness Services for help.
While the support has been somewhat positive to the walk out, and WSU is working on a solution that makes everyone happy, there are still a lot of opposing feelings towards the protest.
While many are in support of the walk-out, there are some students who support ICE and are against the message of the protest.
Riley Wolford, an English major who attended the protest, claimed to have an encounter with an individual affiliated with WSU’s Chapter of Turning Point USA, decided to heckle a small section of the crowd during the walk-out.
“He came up to a group of us that were towards the back of the huddle. He started saying things like ‘he is still your president’ and asking us why we can’t leave ICE alone to work,” Wolford said. "It was odd behavior for sure. I’m not sure why he decided to come and get himself upset. But it is what it is.”
The Wright State Guardian reached out to the chapter, but they did not respond before the publication of this article.
