100 students gathered on the Florida State University (FSU) Landis Green, Jan.20, at noon to protest the inauguration of Donald Trump. The walkout was part of a nationwide effort led by Students for a Democratic Society to mobilize students around the country against Trump’s agenda.

The event began with chants such as “No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA,” and “Donald Trump, let’s be clear, refugees are welcome here.”

Afterwards, speakers from Muslim Student Association, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) gave speeches to the crowd.

From there the protesters marched to the Westcott fountain on the edge of campus. Cea Moline of Students for a Democratic Society pointed out the Francis Eppes statue; FSU honors Eppes as the founder of the school. “Eppes was also a racist slave owner, who owned 91 slaves.” Moline went on to say “I’m here to fight against all the hate that Trump stands for and endorses. I’m fighting against it on my campus because I see it all the time, from the keeping of Francis Eppes to the threats I have received online.”

The students then marched the to the steps of the Florida capitol building. On the way, the protesters took the street and they chanted “Black lives matter!” The police continuously harassed the protesters during the course of the event. Chief Perry of the FSUPD tried to drive through the crowd, bumping against several protesters. Fortunately, none of the protesters sustained injuries.

The students converged on the steps of the Old Capitol, meeting with students from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and Tallahassee Community College. Several people read poems and gave speeches and singers and bands performed on the capitol steps.

The protesters chanted despite the rain, which temporarily prevented them from using the sound equipment. The organizers of the event urged everyone to join SDS and the movement against Donald Trump’s agenda.

“We need to mobilize students and fight against Donald Trump’s oppressive agenda, including repealing DACA. Now more than ever, students should join SDS if they want to make effective actual change,” said Corinna Vall, a member of SDS.

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