Congress’ recent inability to pass a new budget has halted several government services and stirred up protest from some University students.
Nutrition and food sciences sophomore Lauren Guillot and mass communication sophomore Aryanna Prasad watched the government shutdown on television and talked about how they thought the situation was “ridiculous.”
Starting Wednesday, Guillot and Prasad started protesting the shutdown in Free Speech Plaza, holding up signs reading, “About 9 million pregnant women and children are out of [Women, Infant’s and Children] aid,” and “Australia (Securities and Investments Commission) had a government shutdown in 1975. The Queen fired everyone in Parliament and they held a new election.”
Both signs also featured the hashtag, “furleaux.”
Guillot said she and Prasad had a problem with the government shutting down instead of solving the problem.
The pair said they noticed students didn’t understand what was happening and some didn’t seem to care.
Wednesday, Guillot said about 20 to 30 students spoke with them.
The students will be protesting in Free Speech Plaza throughout the week, and they said anyone is welcome to bring a poster or sign and join them.
Guillot said the protest isn’t to draw party lines, but to present students with facts and start discussions.
LSU President F. King Alexander said the shutdown is not likely to affect students at Tuesday’s Faculty Senate meeting.
Additionally, since Federal Pell Grants have already gone through, Alexander said student aid will not be affected either.
Guillot said even though students many not be affected now, they could one day in a situation where they needed government assistance, an area of government the shutdown is heavily affecting.
As for political action, Guillot said right now, the group is just looking to spark discussion.
“All action starts with an idea, and because it’s the national government, it needs to be a big idea,” Guillot said.
“All action starts with an idea and because it’s the national government it needs to be a big idea.”