As the University’s Memorial Tower struck noon and rang the alma mater, students gathered in Free Speech Plaza to protest President Donald Trump’s executive order limiting travel between the United States and seven predominantly Muslim countries. Those speaking at the protest, which was organized by the Iranian Student Association, emphasized the effect that the executive order has on University students.
Members of the Iranian Student Association used their megaphone to read their statement on the executive order.
“We dream of not only receiving the best education, but also serving the nation that has granted us this opportunity… we stand together to shine a light on the injustice of this executive order. We want to be able to earn our degrees safe from deportation,” a member said, surrounded by students holding signs with sentiments such as “love knows no borders” and “policy should be based on facts, not fear.”
LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center Professor Lauren Aronson spoke to the dozens of attendees about the legality of the executive order and some of the stories of immigrant families she felt impacted by.
“Unfortunately, the Immigration and Nationality Act does give President Trump a lot of freedom to determine who may enter and who may not enter the United States,” Aronson said.
But Aronson argued Trump had no national security interest at stake by allowing individuals to travel between the United States and the seven countries on the “travel ban” list.
The organizers of the protest also invited Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer Dereck Rovaris to speak about how the Office of Diversity and the University stand in solidarity with its students affected by the travel ban.
“I certainly hope that, as a university, all of our students, all of our faculty and all of our staff feel welcome regardless of their religion, regardless of their country of origin,” Rovaris said.
Furthermore, Rovaris said the University plans to work with the student who has been unable to travel and be present at the University because of the ban to ensure she can get caught up on coursework and continue as a successful student.
Soon after Rovaris finished speaking, a counter-protester spoke out against the event. The young man yelled from the crowd, telling attendees the only solution to the problems they face is not in protesting, but in Christianity.
“What is this? Are we trying to fix the world through picketing and signs because I’ve got a sign… I’m here to tell y’all Jesus is the only way this can be fixed,” the counter-protester said.
Eventually, the crowd responded with a brief “no justice, no peace” chant and the man remained silent after Rovaris and other attendees tried to talk him down.
“He has every right to speak… I was asking him if I could have a conversation with him because I wanted to hear what he had to say. We are open to everyone,” Rovaris said after the protest.
Rovaris, the Iranian Student Association and other attendees encouraged students to have conversations and ask questions in order to understand the perspectives of those different than you.
“I certainly encourage those of you in this circle to do more than just hold up a sign, to do more than just come to a rally. I hope that you will have dialogue… we will not make a difference until we have conversation,” Rovaris said.
