“No Trump. No KKK. No racist U.S.A.” was one of many chants student protesters said at the University of Memphis Student Plaza on Wednesday.
The Progressive Student Alliance and other students held the event as a way to demonstrate against the election of president Donald J. Trump. During the presidential election season PSA did not explicitly endorse either candidate, but ran an anti-Trump campaign. The group posted pictures with the caption “Dump Trump,” and encouraged voters to vote against him due to his deportation threats and racist rhetoric.
Over 75 students, including two Trump supporters, brought signs to voice their opinion. U of M faculty also supported the event by standing in the middle of the crowd stating they were proud of students for fighting against racism. Student speakers from U of M organizations as well as Rhodes College attended as a couple local TV newscasters surrounded the scene.
Luke Wilson, a Trump supporter and junior at the U of M, said the protest was a joke.
“They can stand out here for three days and three nights and it’s not going to change the presidency,” Wilson said. “This protest isn’t going to change the minds of people who voted for Trump- it’s just going to divide the country even more than what it is.”
Cody Young, a junior, said he only supported Trump because Hillary was a corrupt politician.
“I voted for Trump and I am not a misogynist, racist, sexist, or homophobic person,” Young said. “There’s no denying that Trump makes African-Americans, Mexicans and Indians look bad. I’m a white male I can’t see things from their perspective. They say they’re scared and I can’t blame them. To me they’re both bad, but the way I was raised- Trump was a better choice because Hillary is corrupt and never changed anything during the time she was in office. I’m not out here to argue with the protestors. The reason I voted for Trump has nothing to do with racism.”
Ibrahim Abdinur, a U of M sophomore who did not vote, said the protesters fighting against Trump were close-minded.
“They’re too worried about their feelings instead of thinking about politics,” Abdinur said. “Who cares about your feelings? Let’s fix America. Trump isn’t even president yet and they’re doing this. I get called a terrorist every day because of my race, but If he doesn’t want immigrants in the U.S. that’s him losing money. He isn’t even talking sh*t anymore. I thought he sucked before, but he’s finally come to his senses- he’s better than Hillary.”
Lindsey Smith, co-chair of PSA, said Trump’s policy against deportation of illegal immigrants is one of the main reasons why PSA is against the president-elect.
“He is planning on deporting over 200 million immigrants within his first 100 days in office, which we find dehumanizing,” Smith said. “He wants to build a wall on the border of Mexico and the United States and I think that’s terrible. I just hope the message gets across to those who voted for him, especially since he just appointed a nationalist to be on his cabinet, which only shows he’s perpetuating racism.”
Faculty such as Dennis Laumann, professor in the department of history, told the crowd that he stood with PSA in their fight against all things Trump.
“I’m happy students are standing up against racism and bigotry because in my opinion everything that Donald Trump stands for is the exact opposite for what a university should stand for,” Laumann said. “A university should stand for embracing our diversity, respecting each other, and promoting awareness of each other’s cultures. This is a democracy and we’re all allowed to have our own opinions.”
Smith said she was proud of her organization and the amazing turn-out of students who “came to fight for what’s right.”
Former adjunct professor Alice Long was one of the last to speak during the demonstration.
“I can no longer teach,” Long said. “I’m disabled and officially retired but it’s up to you to keep on keepin’ on. You’ve got to. You have to.”
A student of Latin decent holds a sign quoting president-elect Donald Trump. The young man, an immigrant himself, shared that he even paid out-of-pocket for classes.
University of Memphis students, faculty and residents protest against Trump and his stances at the Student Plaza. Other university students, faculty and news reporters gathered around the group to watch the protest.
University students hold anti-Trump signs near the University Center at the Student Plaza. The protest started from 12:30 p.m. and ended at around 1:15 p.m.
