Student groups marched on the Louisiana State Capitol Monday, demanding action from Gov. Jeff Landry administration on a number of recent social justice issues.
Led by Loyola University’s chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, the protestors raised their voices to bring attention to LGBTQ+ rights, community control of the police, funding for schools and welfare and what they see as the government’s increasingly anti-Palestine posture.
“The racist, transphobic, anti-Palestinian agenda that the legislation is pushing is not what the people want,” said Lucas Harrell, a representative for New Orleans’ Queer and Trans Community Action Project.
About 50 students and community members gathered for the march.
Reflecting on recent legislative trends throughout the country’s more conservative states, the protestors shared their thoughts on several fronts.
Landry’s anti-LGBTQ+ and tough-on-crime policies drew criticism from the students.
They pointed to House bills 121 and 122, popularly known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bills, as a direct threat to LGBTQ+ rights.
The students called for increased funding for schools and welfare programs and the prioritization of domestic needs over foreign conflicts.
They criticized the U.S. government’s attitude toward Israeli strikes in Gaza following Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, saying policy was advancing a “genocide of Palestinian people.” The protestors also expressed concern over expanding prison systems and crackdowns on protests against war funding.
Members of LSU’s Students for a Democratic Society joined the march.
“We have the power to make some noise,” said Ryan Spalts, a biochemistry junior from LSU SDS. “…People from around the state have showed up to tell Landry just how unpopular these bills are.”
Spalt pointed to LSU’s removal of its diversity, equity and inclusion statement from online spaces shortly after the election of Gov. Landry.
“LSU is not just a university; it is a business,” Spalt said. “What’s best for LSU’s business and what’s best for students will always be on opposing sides… this is why we saw LSU delete their DEI statements from their websites right before Landry’s inauguration.”
Blu DiMarco, a sophomore history major at Loyola, condemned the state government’s allegiance to corporations.
“The Louisiana government does not stand with the people,” DiMarco said. “Instead, they serve only corporate interests. They are making moves to perpetuate the vicious poverty cycle, keeping us sick, keeping us hungry. That is what Jeff Landry wants.”
The students marched down Capitol Lake Drive to protest in front of the Governor’s Mansion, where they concluded the event with a thesis of summary — that the people of Louisiana deserve better.
“I refuse to be silenced,” DiMarco said in a speech. “I refuse to be squashed out of existence. We must not change ourselves to become appealable to them.”
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A Palestinian flag flies Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, La.
