On Thursday, Feb. 5, WFNM (89.1) held a school-wide protest in response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) raids around the country. The gathering was co-signed by many of F&M’s student organizations, including Mi Gente Latina, John Quincy Adams Society, F&M Action for Refugee Resettlement, African Caribbean Association and many of the school’s a cappella groups. This issue hit community members close to home, with Lancaster being widely recognized as the refugee capital of the United States.
Students gathered on Hartman Green at 11:30, bearing signs with anti-ICE messaging, such as “Melt the ICE,” and “Something must be done about vengeance, a badge, and a gun.” Even in the cold winter weather, students stood defiantly in the center.
“This is really important because Lancaster is a huge hotspot for refugees and ICE is targeting places like that, especially college campuses,” expressed senior Marissa “We, as the future generation, need to make it known that we don’t stand for this, that we have the power to change it and that it’s absolutely disgusting what’s going on.”
“I like this campus and this community, and I’m happy to see everyone come out,” agreed senior Keith Wattenbarger, ‘26. “There is a throng of people out here and it’s cool to see that people care about something.”
Members of the WFNM radio station gathered protesters, providing words of inspiration.
Ramona Banos, ‘29, told the crowd, “I want to remind everybody that this witch hunt . . . It was never about immigrants like me or my family not working because they’re taking us from our jobs. It was never about us being criminals because they’re kidnapping our children. It was never about protecting American citizens because, just this year, they’ve killed two for protesting.” Ramona spoke to the crowd in Spanish, with the direct translation being, “Rights are taken. They are not asked. They are seized, not begged.”
Other speakers followed, spreading more motivational messaging. “The national news is the rise of fascism, modern border Gestapo, and it is meant to make you, each and every one of you, feel small and feel afraid,” one student spoke. Another told the story of her family’s immigration experience. “I am going to tell you what we all already know. Immigrants are not criminals. We are humans. We bleed just like you. We hurt just like you, and we love just like you.”
WFNM Vice President Gaia Dash, ‘27, shared resources for those who wanted to help. She suggested hanging “Know Your Rights” flyers on dorm doors, keeping them on hand, and donating to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the American Immigration Council and the National Immigration Law Center. “Know that we are many, and they are few and weak,” she said. “Your voice still has power.”
Freshman Sarah Henches is the Features Editor. Her email is shenches@fandm.edu.