Los Angeles Times takes you through how Muslim, African American and Latino student activists came together to lead one of the most compelling (and yes, shocking) protests against Donald Trump last Friday at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Especially angered by Trump’s inflammatory statements about Islam and the Hispanic community, the Muslim Student Assn., Black Student Union, and the Fearless Undocumented Association (who advocate on behalf of illegal immigrants) coordinated and came together to form a community of like-minded activists… online.
The protest started with a rally on campus where Muslim and Latino immigrant students spoke. Protesters then lead a march carrying a banner which read: “Trump makes America hate. Our students make America great.” While some protesters stayed outside, others went into Trump’s rally, many hiding anti-Trump signs under their clothes. Trump ultimately cancelled the rally, citing advice from the Chicago police (though the police department denied advising this).
“He’s viewed as this legitimate candidate and as people begin to see he could possibly lead this country, they’re going to push back against him and what he’s throwing out there,” says Tia Oso, coordinator for Black Alliance for Just Immigration. “You can’t go around saying you’re going to ban all Muslims and not think people are not going to be upset. You can’t bad mouth Mexicans and think everyone will just be all fine with it.”
Oso says to expect more organized protests against Trump to continue in the months ahead.
