Baton Rouge, LA – On March 28, a crowd of 1500 people gathered across the street from the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge on No Kings Day to protest Trump’s reactionary agenda.

Before marching, Gabriela DeJean of the Louisiana State University (LSU) chapter of Students for a Democratic Society addressed the crowd, “If you’re a student, at any school or of any age, come find us. You don’t have to have experience organizing, you just have to decide right here, right now, that you don't want to be complacent. If you’re not a student, that doesn’t mean you’re outside of this. This affects entire communities, get involved with an organization.”

People lined up and marched down downtown Baton Rouge with signs that said, “Fight Trump’s agenda!” and “We say no to deportations!” As they made their way downtown, they chanted, “Power to the people, no one is illegal!” and “Money for jobs and education, not for war and deportation!”

DeJean finished by saying, “This only works if people keep showing up after today. Pay attention to how quickly things are changing around you and decide which side of history you want to be a part of!”

#BatonRougeLA #LA #PeoplesStruggles #StudentMovement #SDS #ImmigrantRights

Baton Rouge, LA – On March 3, student protesters gathered outside the Louisiana State University (LSU) student union to fight back against Trump and Netanyahu's attacks against Iran and to demand “U.S. out of everywhere!”

The protesters faced passersby and chanted, “From Iran to Palestine, bombing children is a crime!” and “No more innocent blood for oil! U.S. off Iranian soil!” However, the student protesters were joined by a group of “pro-regime change” Iranian counter-protesters nearby.

This group stood in glaring contrast to the students' protest. Counter-protesters held Israeli, American and Iranian flags and a sign thanking Donald Trump while dancing to the song YMCA and celebrating the bombing of a school full of children. Similar groups gathered in other parts of the U.S., all of whom were also dancing and celebrating with YMCA blaring in the background.

Local news channels and student onlookers questioned why this group was here and why they were celebrating the bombing of their home country. News also interviewed the group of students protesting the U.S. and Israel’s aggression against Iran.

Margo Wilson of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at LSU stated, “We are here today to protest the bombing of a school and to oppose Trump’s agenda. It’s important to know that the group of counter-protesters here today are not our enemy, Trump and Netanyahu are.”

Ziad Eissa of Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “People in Iran have taken to the streets to stand up against the U.S. invasion. In the face of aerial bombings from the U.S. and assassinations of Iran’s leaders, the people of Iran are not afraid. We stand with the people of Iran in resisting U.S. imperialism wherever it strikes. The U.S. started this war and Iran has the right to respond to any attacks on its soil and defend itself against any violation to its sovereignty.” He emphasized that the regime change Americans really need is in Washington D.C., not the Middle East.

Students formed a picket line, chanting in a circle that took up the full width of Free Speech Alley where they were protesting. Protesters remained steadfast as the counter-protesters began to dissipate. They chanted, “From Venezuela to Iran, no more sanctions, no more bombs!”

#BatonRougeLA #LA #StudentMovement #AntiWarMovement #SDS #Iran

Baton Rouge, LA – On Thursday, January 29, students at Louisiana State University (LSU) gathered on campus to unite against the most recent escalation in ICE violence after the murders of Renee Good, Keith Porter and Alex Pretti. Progressive groups from all over Baton Rouge came together to fight Trump’s attacks and resist ICE terror.

In the midst of the chanting, the LSU police department attempted to move students away to a secluded area. The students pushed back and refused to cooperate with LSU PD. They were then able to carry out their program.

Over the past year, LSU students and Baton Rouge residents have faced multiple attacks by ICE. Last summer, two Iranian students were abducted outside of their apartment and illegally held in ICE custody for weeks. In June, LSU Nursing alumna Vilma Palacios was arrested, held for six months, and forced to return to Honduras, a country she had not been to since she was seven years old. The students have seen what ICE presence means in Baton Rouge, Minneapolis, and around the country, and rallied to fight to protect their campus.

Gabriela DeJean of Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “They want us to be afraid to mobilize, but we are not afraid because we have power. This country does not run without us. And we say, ICE out of our cities, ICE out of our country, and no ICE on our campus!”

Students inside the union and passing by could hear the crowd chant, “The students, united, will never be defeated!”

#BatonRougeLA #LA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #ICE #SDS

Baton Rouge, LA – Louisiana State University (LSU) students marched from the Student Unioin to the president’s office on Monday, November 10, to deliver a petition demanding that the new LSU president reject Trump’s compact agreement.

Wade Rousse is set to become president of LSU on Monday, November 17. He has close ties with MAGA-supporting Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry.

The compact agreement offers preferential federal funding to universities in exchange for implementing conservative policies in line with Trump’s agenda, including cutting DEI, erasing LGBTQ students’ rights, rejecting international students, and attacking free speech on campus.

“To accept such an agreement is to betray the very university you claim to serve, to betray the students, the faculty, the campus workers, and to destroy the institution’s autonomy,” said Zane Sutor-Benfield, a member of LSU Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).

The petition, circulated by LSU SDS, garnered over 500 signatures.

Despite attempts by the LSU Police Department to bar students from delivering the petition, two members of SDS were able to hand it directly to Trey Jones, the vice president of legal affairs and general counsel at LSU, who promised to leave it on Wade Rousse’s desk when he starts next Monday.

“We will hold him to this promise, and we will be back.” said Sutor-Benfield.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #StudentMovement #SDS #LSUSDS

Baton Rouge, LA – On Wednesday, November 5, about 40 Louisiana State University (LSU) students gathered outside their Student Union to protest the “Triggered: From Combat to Campus” tour by Students Supporting Israel, which featured an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier. The tour drew similar protests at Tulane University earlier in the week.

LSU police arrived shortly after the demonstration began as students entered the building, chanting “Shut it down!” and banging pots and pans. Protesters chanted outside the room where the event was taking place for about 15 minutes before more police arrived and began forcefully shoving students outside.

Students then began to march around the building, attempting to reenter at every entrance. Inside, police could be seen running to block each door as the students circled the building. During one attempt, an officer slammed the door so forcefully, it broke and would no longer close properly.

Students continued to circle the building, banging on windows and chanting. As the event ended, students split up to cover each entrance to confront the IDF soldier as he left. He was stopped as he attempted to exit out of a loading dock. Students chanted “Shame on you!” and “You can’t hide! You’re committing genocide!”

“LSU invites war criminals on campus, but we won’t welcome them here. Long live the student intifada!” said Ziad Eissa of Students for a Democratic Society.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS

Baton Rouge, LA – On No Kings Day, October 18, over 1500 people took to the streets to stand against the Trump administration in Baton Rouge. In one of the largest demonstrations Baton Rouge has seen, the huge mass of people marched along Perkins Road, chanting and carrying signs and banners denouncing Trump.

Protesters called for an end to attacks on immigrants, universities, LGBTQ people and free speech. They also condemned Governor Jeff Landry’s request to deploy the National Guard to Baton Rouge, Shreveport and New Orleans.

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at Louisiana State University (LSU) marched in a student contingent alongside Indivisible Baton Rouge and a coalition of many organizations. The students held a banner at the front of the crowd that read “Fight Trump’s agenda. No ICE on campus! Defend free speech! Speak out for Palestine!”

Ziad Eissa of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization marched to the front of the crowd and led chants after an Indivisible organizer handed off a megaphone. The crowd chanted, “Don’t give in to racist fears, immigrants are welcome here!” and “They say get back, we say fight back!” Speakers emphasized the need for mass mobilization against Landry and for immigrant rights, especially given the threat of the National Guard deployment.

“From ICE raids and ripping apart families, to sending armed troops to predominantly Black cities – we refuse to stay silent and not stand up to the Trump administration,” said Enola Guyer of LSU SDS. Over the summer, two international students at LSU were detained by ICE and released shortly after.

Tia Fields of Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants said, “We come from a long line of people who believed freedom was worth shouting for: the abolitionists, the suffragists and the civil rights activists who marched through teargas. History now calls on us too.”

Ryan Spalt of Freedom Road Socialist Organization was the last speaker and concluded by saying, “History shows us time and time again, it is the people that drive history forward, not Trump, not Landry, and not any of the reactionaries that come after them.”

#BatonRougeLA #LA #ImmigrantRights #SDS #FRSO #PeoplesStruggles #LORI

Baton Rouge, LA – On October 1, Louisiana State University Students for a Democratic Society (LSU SDS) gathered to protest the LSU presidential search committee. Students rallied outside the LSU Foundation Building and then gave public comments at the committee meeting inside.

The students were attending the presidential search committee meeting to protest the undemocratic nature of the process and the overbearing influence Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry holds over LSU.

“Without the approval of the student body, who are the ones actually affected by the choice of president, this search process will be nothing more than a farce displaying just how undemocratically a university can be run,” said Ziad Eissa of SDS.

Students voiced their opposition to the corrupt nature of the search process. They decried the fact that the bulk of the committee members are businessmen with ties to Landry. Some are even his political donors, including the committee chair, Scott Ballard.

“Our demand for student representation is far from unreasonable. If you truly cared about protecting the free speech you love to talk about, we wouldn't need to stand here and beg you for a voice in choosing our next president,” SDS member Enola Guyer said while addressing the committee.

When one student, Gabriela Juarez, went over her allotted three minutes by a mere ten seconds, LSU Police Officers Thomas Schiebe and Dayton Landry violently dragged Juarez out of the building with no warning. After repeatedly refusing to confirm whether or not Juarez was being detained or arrested, or what charges were being levied against her, an officer finally stated that she was being charged with disturbing the peace.

In an attempt to stop the unjust arrest, fellow students locked arms to block the police car from leaving the parking lot with Juarez. LSU PD called in reinforcements and six more SDS members were arrested – Margo Wilson, Ziad Eissa, Carson Wall, Enola Guyer, Scott Sonnier and Ryan Spalt.

Those six were released by LSU PD hours later with misdemeanor charges of obstruction of highway commerce and resisting an officer with force. Guyer was additionally charged with interference with an educational process. Juarez was charged with resisting an officer and interference with an educational process.

Juarez was not charged with disturbing the peace, despite that being the alleged reason for her detainment and the stated charge at that time. Additionally, while the other six protesters were released, Juarez was transferred to the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

Juarez was finally released around 1 a.m. that night, thanks to numerous calls made to the jail demanding her release. It is unclear why she was not released earlier, or even why she was arrested in the first place for simply violating a committee rule.

LSU SDS is demanding that all the charges not be filed, and that their demands for reforming the presidential search process be approved.

“We’re going to keep fighting this, every step of the way,” said SDS member Zane Sutor-Benfield.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #StudentMovement #SDS #Feature

Baton Rouge, LA – On Friday August 29, Louisiana State University (LSU) students and community members rallied on the steps outside of the student union building, despite poor weather, to stand up and fight back against Trump’s attacks on higher education. Students demanded that the LSU search committee, appointed by Governor Jeff Landry, not select another university president who will further attack DEI, immigrant students, and cultural centers.

Attendees held signs that read, “Defend DEI,” “Protect our cultural centers,” and “Money for education, not deportation.”

“What we need is an LSU president who actually puts students first, who actually represents us instead of Trump, Jeff Landry, or his wealthy donors. We want a president who cares about education and helping students achieve, instead of extracting more and more of our money into his bank account,” Gabriela Juárez of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) said.

Between speeches, the crowd chanted “Not Trump, and not the state! Students decide their fate,” “Landry, we see your intent! No MAGA president” and “Trump hear us loud and clear, immigrants are welcome here!”

Library worker and United Campus Worker (UCW) member Amir Portier delivered a speech emphasizing that workers, professors, and students at LSU all stand united against the right-wing agenda being carried out by both Trump and Governor Landry. He urged students to continue standing up and fighting back.

“UCW will continue to support the student movement on campus and their fight to stop Landry from selecting another GOP yes-man university president,” Portier of UCW said.

SDS plans to mobilize for every search committee and administration meeting on campus.

“We can only win if we work together. United we stand, divided we fall. The Republicans are united. Let’s show them that we are too!” Zane Sutor-Benfield of SDS concluded.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #StudentMovement #Trump #NoKings #SDS #UCW

Baton Rouge, LA – On Tuesday August 19, students attended a public meeting held by Louisiana State University’s search committee for a new university president. After former President William F Tate left over the summer due to an increasingly politically charged campus, the board of supervisors is searching for a candidate that will help carry out Trump’s attacks on education and DEI.

The search committee is made up of CEOs, stakeholders, one professor and two students. Seven of the members have been appointed by reactionary Governor Jeff Landry, and several have donated hundreds of dollars to his political campaigns. Landry, who was endorsed by Trump, has repeatedly meddled in university affairs.

Before students entered the meeting, they were stopped by LSU police department officers who told them they were not allowed to enter. LSU’s webpage encouraged students to attend the search committee meetings and gave the option to give public comments. Students ignored LSU PD and entered the building. Another officer threatened their removal if they caused a disruption.

Throughout the meeting, several search committee members expressed the importance of keeping their “partners” happy but failed to mention the needs of the students.

“You are a bunch of unelected lap dogs who have the desires of our loathsome Governor Jeff Landry in mind, rather than the wellbeing of the students,” Zane Sutor-Benfield of Students for Democratic Society (SDS) said to the committee in his public comment.

Carlton Jones, LSU’s head legal advisor, told members to avoid electronic communication. “Be careful what you put in writing. These searches tend to spur a flurry of public records requests,” Jones said.

After the meeting, students rallied in protest outside, using amplified sound. Police ordered them to stop and pushed them onto the sidewalk. Students continued to chant with their megaphone until all the members of the search committee left the building.

“If this search committee is not going to pick someone who will actually fight for the students, we are going to force them. Jeff Landry has been appointing people left and right to run this university, but it’s about time we show him it’s the students who hold the power!” said SDS member Ryan Spalt to the crowd of protesters as they chanted outside.

Students are continuing to keep the search committee under a microscope and demand no MAGA president.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #StudentMovement #SDS #Trump #Feature

Baton Rouge, LA – On Sunday, May 4, Baton Rouge held a May Day rally at the State Capitol building, taking the fight for worker and immigrant rights directly to the seat of the state government. Demonstrators united on the steps of the capitol with signs and banners in hand to voice their support for the working class movement and their opposition to the Trump administration’s attacks.

Protesters chanted, “Trump, hear us loud and clear! Immigrants are welcome here!” and “The workers, united, will never be defeated!”

Speakers from the organizations then spoke to the demonstrators about the fight for workers’ rights during the Trump administration.

Enola Guyer of Students for a Democratic Society at Louisiana State University stated, “In the past 104 days Donald Trump has shown time and time again what we already knew. He does not, and will never, care for the workers and immigrants that are the foundation of this country.”

Guyer concluded by calling for an end to these attacks., saying, “We demand the end of university compliance, student visa revocations, mass deportations, and the protection of our free speech!”

Zane Sutor-Benfield of Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “Solidarity means union power, it means unity with your coworkers, no matter their skin color, gender or immigration status. Solidarity isn’t exclusive to the labor movement. It means unity between all oppressed people, all victims of capitalist exploitation. None of us are free until all of us are free.”

Sutor-Benfield closed by saying, “I’m not going to play down the severity of this moment. These are dangerous times for anyone who isn’t a rich oligarch bleeding this country dry, but I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid because I know that when we fight together, we win together, and now is the time to fight.”

#BatonRougeLA #LA #Labor #ImmigrantsRights #MayDay #SDS

Baton Rouge, LA – On April 19, almost 200 Baton Rouge community members gathered at the State Capitol for a march to the Russell B. Long Federal Building to say no to unlawful ICE actions, illegal deportations and the attacks on vital government programs.

The action began with a rally at the Capitol where the crowd of protesters stood next to a separate “bible reading marathon” taking place on the capitol steps. Shortly after, the crowd began their march through the streets of downtown Baton Rouge, with the mass of people stretching across multiple blocks.

Unable to identify the organizer of this rally, Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) member Ryan Spalt began leading chants while other members of FRSO guided the protesters through the streets of Baton Rouge. When the protesters reached the federal courthouse, they gathered outside to continue chanting and demanding that the GOP keep their hands off the people’s movements.

The crowd faced towards a busy road as they loudly chanted things such as “What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now! If we don't get it? Shut it down!” and “Landry hear us loud and clear! Trans kids are welcome here!”

The protesters then marched back to the Capitol building where energy levels remained high. Spalt and other members began handing out flyers against Trump’s repressive agenda near the end of the rally, which people were highly receptive towards.

Baton Rouge community members stated they plan on keeping up their fight for justice under the Trump administration. Baton Rouge has a fighting movement who is not willing to put up with the attacks on immigrants or the attacks on our vital governmental programs!

#BatonRougeLA #LA #PeoplesStruggles #Trump #HandsOff

Baton Rouge, LA – On April 17, around 15 Louisiana State University (LSU) students rallied in Free Speech Alley in opposition to the Trump administration’s attacks on education. The students demanded that LSU make the university a sanctuary campus in defense of immigrant students and reverse policies attacking DEI and campus cultural centers.

Students raised signs demanding action, with messages like “Free Mahmoud Khalil!” “Sanctuary campus now,” “Protect our cultural centers” and “Protest is not a crime!” Throughout the rally, students and community members were invited to speak. SDS members spoke alongside Ayah Hamdan of Students for Justice in Palestine, united under a shared commitment to defending student rights and standing in solidarity with Palestinians. The speakers denounced the university's silence in the face of Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and called on LSU to divest from any companies profiting from the occupation of Palestine.

The rally was organized by LSU’s Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) in opposition to the compliance of university administration to the non-binding Department of Education’s “Dear Colleague” letter in February, which gave universities the option to either cut DEI programs or lose federal funding. LSU has since committed to slashing funding for oppressed nationality student organizations, such as The Injustice Reform, and has removed all identity-based requirements for financial aid.

This week, the Trump administration ripped away at least 16 Louisiana student visas to further its broader crackdown on campus dissent, part of a national trend aimed at arresting student protesters, silencing opposition, and chilling political expression in academic spaces.

Through the rally, the students reaffirmed their commitment to resistance, vowing to continue if the university fails to meet their demands. With students facing political repression at both the federal and institutional levels, LSU SDS and its allies made clear that the struggle for immigrant rights, cultural spaces and free expression on campus is deeply intertwined with the global movement for justice and liberation, from Baton Rouge to Palestine!

#BatonRougeLA #LA #StudentMovement #SDS

Baton Rouge, LA – On March 10, Louisiana State University (LSU) students and Baton Rouge community members rallied on LSU’s campus in Free Speech Alley for International Women’s Day.

In light of Trump's attacks on immigrants, one of the demands put forth by students was to put an end to the mass deportations and family separations. Students also called on the LSU administration to declare the university a sanctuary campus.

Lauren Roberie of Students for a Democratic Society at LSU said, “If Trump was truly pro-life, he would not consistently dehumanize and denigrate the undocumented American population. We have to continue to condemn these inhumane actions and urge LSU to stop complying with ICE.”

One of Trump’s many targets in academia have been diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI. His administration is forcing universities to remove any DEI statements from their policies or lose all federal funding. “Diversity equity and inclusion is now a cover term for Black,” said Laramie Griffin of Evolve Louisiana, highlighting the racist origins and consequences of these attacks on universities and workplaces.

DEI erasure has also made its way to LSU. Library faculty were forced to remove any webpage with the word “diversity,” including articles on ecological biodiversity. Additionally, some African culture clubs were told members are not allowed to wear their organization’s emblems at graduation.

As protesters chanted, they occupied Echo Circle in Free Speech Alley and demanded the LSU administration not comply with Trump’s orders. Organizers at the rally declared that the people of Baton Rouge will continue to fight back against Trump’s attacks and defend women and queer rights.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #StudentMovement #WomensMovement #SDS #EvolveLouisiana

Baton Rouge, LA – In the early morning hours of Monday, March 3, workers for Baton Rouge’s Capital Area Transit System (CATS) went on strike. CATS provides bus services throughout Baton Rouge. Supporters joined the picket line as early as 3 a.m. carrying signs in solidarity with the picket.

The transit system workers have been unionized since 1973, with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1546. They moved to strike after CATS attempted to illegally impose a contract which contained many issues that the union had previously rejected in negotiations. Workers also cited deplorable working conditions as a big issue.

Speaking about the illegal imposition of the union contract, Senior Organizer Stanley Smalls said, “If we allow that, what? What is the purpose of bargaining anymore? You could just go through the motions and make your proposals, let us reject it and force it on the workers anyway. That’s never going to happen in Baton Rouge. Those days of taking advantage of workers are over.”

Workers rallied outside the CATS terminal from the cold early morning to late afternoon all week, with the strike ending Sunday, March 8 after CATS agreed to rescind the imposed contract and return to negotiations with the union.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #Labor #Strikes

Baton Rouge, LA – On Friday February 21, a group of students at Louisiana State University (LSU) disrupted a board of supervisors meeting in order to present demands to administration. The students had four demands they wanted to bring to the board of supervisors: reinstate Professor Ken Levy, make LSU a sanctuary campus, stop tuition hikes, and disclose and divest investments with Israel.

The students gathered in Free Speech Alley and marched to the board of supervisors office. Student organizers gave speeches and chanted, “When teachers are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back!” Their chants could be heard from inside, causing many attendees to leave their seats to look out at the protesters.

As the rally proceeded outside, three students registered in the meeting for public comment. They opposed the board revising permanent memorandum-79 (PM-79) and seeking to restrict free speech. Zane Sutor-Benfield of LSU Students for a Democratic Society gave public comment saying, “These new measures are just the latest in a long pattern of repressive action taken by the university administration. Though the oppression is largely aimed at students, recently the persecution of Professor Levy has taken it to the faculty as well. This memorandum specifically targets faculty by removing their First Amendment rights in the classroom.”

Administration recently fired Levy for political comments he made in class against Trump, and students met the repression with protests and a petition with over 700 signatures for his reinstatement. Felix Anderson of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) spoke out against LSU’s decision saying, “[Levy] has been juggled through the courts. Why is LSU punishing our best professors while they cut our classes behind our backs? This is a school, not a political theater.”

LSU student Gabriela Juárez put forth, “Why is free speech being restricted now? I think it has something to do with the university’s investment in Israel, I think it has something to do with university’s tuition hikes – I think it has something to do with Professor Levy’s firing. I think it is a clear and brazen assault on the basic freedoms that are supposed to underline a country like this, and frankly, it’s shameful.”

The group also demanded LSU divest from Israel. In his speech, Khalil El-abbassi of LSU SDS said, “We can’t trust LSU to make ethical decisions regarding Israel and Palestine when these outside interests have power within its administration. We demand that LSU show transparency with regard to its financial investments. We demand that LSU disclose details about its financial ties to companies supporting and trying to profit from Israel’s genocide.”

#BatonRougeLA #LA #StudentMovement #SDS

Baton Rouge, LA – On Friday, February 14, about 30 Louisiana State University (LSU) students and community members rallied in Free Speech Alley to demand that university administration make LSU a sanctuary campus for immigrant students.

LSU’s Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organized the rally to fight back against ICE activity in the Baton Rouge area and Trump's executive order that allows ICE to operate in previously protected places like college campuses, churches and courthouses.

Students gathered near the center of Free Speech Alley, their signs turned towards the masses of people in the surrounding area. The various signs read “Stop the mass deportations” and “¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!”

The rally featured several student speakers, all denouncing the reactionary agenda of President Trump and the LSU administration's complicity with his racist policies.

SDS member Enola Guyer stated, “Our right to education is under attack and we must stand together to fight against this. At the bare minimum LSU must deny ICE the right to step foot on this campus without a court order signed by a judge, but we deserve more. If admin truly cared, they would declare LSU a sanctuary campus.”

Between speeches, students repeated chants such as “Don’t give in to racist fears, immigrants are welcome here!” and “No justice, no peace, no more racist police!” directing their chants at the heavy police presence.

Towards the end of the rally, the microphone was opened up to community members. Members of SDS were joined by the multicultural fraternity, Sigma Lambda Beta. One member, as well as the fraternity's faculty advisor, delivered speeches strongly opposing deportation and urging students to fight back against these attacks.

The rally emphasized a commitment among LSU students to stand up against attacks on immigrants and demand protections for immigrant students. Organizations like SDS, Sigma Lambda Beta and The Injustice Reform stated they plan to work together to unite the students until LSU is a sanctuary campus.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #SDS #Feature

Baton Rouge, LA – On Tuesday January 28, about 20 students gathered in front of Louisiana State University (LSU) Law Center to demand the university reinstate Professor Ken Levy.

Levy was suspended for criticizing Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry and explaining Trump’s presidency would have implications for certain amendments to the constitution during one of his lectures.

Professor Levy’s attorney, Jill Craft, explained Levy revealed he was a Democrat and expressed a dislike for Trump. However, Craft believed Levy said nothing to warrant suspension.

Students stood on the steps of LSU’s law center holding signs that read “Leave Levy alone!” and “Protect free speech!” while listening to Kristen Graham-Winkles, a current student of Professor Levy, speak.

“This is the second time in just two semesters that a professor has faced reprimand for nothing more than expressing a progressive viewpoint,” said Graham-Winkles, referring to a similar incident that resulted in the Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry publicly demanding LSU take action against law Professor Nicholas Bryner. Bryner expressed his dislike for Landry and Trump, and the university moved to launch an investigation that is still ongoing.

The news of Levy’s suspension was met with outrage from students who had taken his courses. Peach Hadley, a former law student of Professor Levy, said, “The truth is, Professor Levy and I didn’t always agree politically. But that was the thing about Levy. He didn’t care. He genuinely, out loud, encouraged students to express opinions that those students knew he might not agree with.”

Graham-Winkles stated, “Political conformity is being demanded, intellectual diversity is being crushed, and dissent is being punished. How valuable is admission and graduation from an institution that is unabashedly taking these actions?”

The rally at LSU’s Law Center was followed by a student-led march to the president’s office to hand-deliver a petition demanding Professor Levy’s reinstatement, a public apology, and full transparency on the investigation. The petition had collected over 750 signatures in just five days. As the crowd of students approached the office, LSU Police Department could be seen barricading the doors.

One law student attempted to enter the building to hand the petition to the front desk but was denied. The crowd began to chant “Shame on LSU!” and “Let him hand in the petition!” Winston DeCuir, vice president of Legal Affairs and the general counsel for LSU, exited the building to greet the students, saying, “As law students, I actually think it’s important that you voice your opinion and speak out. I remember being a student myself and engaging in similar activities. I will definitely deliver this to the president.”

Two days later, a Louisiana district judge ordered LSU to reinstate Levy through a temporary restraining order lasting from January 30 till February 10. This will allow Professor Levy to return to his position and prohibits LSU from taking any action against him. Decuir, LSU VP of Legal Affairs who had taken the student’s petition, submitted his letter of resignation after being asked to leave by the university.

Professor Levy’s reinstatement, although temporary, demonstrates the importance of struggling against administration and proved that LSU students are capable of winning their demands. Students are prepared to continue to fight any attacks on free speech the university will throw their way.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #StudentMovement #SDS #FreeSpeech #Trump

Baton Rouge, LA – On Monday January 20, despite the freezing temperature and extreme wind, Louisiana State University (LSU) students and Baton Rouge community members gathered at the State Capitol to stand in opposition to Trump’s inauguration.

A coalition of organizations representing students, trans rights, Palestinian rights, and political groups all united against Trump’s bigoted agenda and spoke to the next year’s difficulties, highlighting that it would be crucial to keep the struggle in the streets.

Lev Deane of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “It is imperative that we fight against Trump’s backwards and reactionary agenda by building a strong united front. The only way to accomplish this goal is to mobilize.”

Deane underscored Trump’s plans to attack immigrants by eliminating programs that provide protections like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and his plans to repeal the 14th Amendment, which grants birthright citizenship. These policies will be implemented through ICE sweeps that will be carried out in major cities, leading to mass deportation and increased police brutality against anyone who is suspected of being immigrant.

Trump’s policies will impact immigrants and will also further embolden current right-wing attacks on queer people. Currently there are 219 active anti-trans bills at the state level and seven at the federal level. In Louisiana, several anti-trans bills have already passed under state Governor Jeff Landry. Some of these bills include the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which bans teachers from disclosing or even mentioning their sexual orientation or gender identity to students; the “Bathroom Ban,” which bars trans people from using the bathroom of their choice; and the “Name Ban,” which prohibits teachers from using their trans students preferred name and pronouns.

Remmy Cavalier of Louisiana Trans Advocates at LSU said, “Landry will use these laws to further alienate and put trans youth in danger. They want to put teachers’ jobs at risk.”

Palestine was another major focus of the march. Monday marked the first day of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Palestinian resistance, after 16 months of Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people that has killed over 46,000. Although a ceasefire has been achieved, billion-dollar aid packages will continue to be sent to Israel under Trump’s presidency. The fight for Palestine is still not over.

Ayah Hamdan of Students for Justice in Palestine said, “Let’s be clear, the ceasefire does not mean the violence has stopped,” and pointed out that the Palestinians are still under occupation. She declared, “Ceasefire does not mean we cease. We still need to fight!”

After listening to the speakers and chanting, 30 people marched to the governor’s mansion. As the crowd approached his mansion, the MAGA flag could be seen waving along with the American and Louisiana flag.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #ImmigrantRights #LGBTQ #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #Trump #Feature

Baton Rouge, LA – On October 9, Louisiana State University’s Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a panel on the Tulane and Loyola University encampments for Gaza as part of their October 7 Week of Rage. LSU SDS invited members of Tulane and Loyola SDS and a member of Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) from New Orleans. They highlighted their wins and explored lessons learned from planning and implementing the encampment.

Last spring, the National Students for a Democratic Society put out a call for campuses across the country to enact encampments for Gaza on their universities’ lawns to escalate the fight for divestment. On April 29, SDS chapters from both New Orleans campuses proposed a plan of action. The encampment began with a Loyola and Tulane SDS joint rally and march that gathered around 300 people.

After rallying, the students began establishing their encampment in front of the Tulane admissions building. However, they were immediately met with police repression from both campus police and the New Orleans Police Department. The response from the police was very quick compared to other universities. As the encampment continued, police on horses charged the crowd, while others attacked protesters, tackling some to the ground. The Gaza encampment was met with militarized police, and seven people were arrested that day, with others to follow the next night.

Ryan Spalt of LSU SDS began the panel by introducing the panelists. He asked them questions about how they decided to have an encampment, why administration was so harsh in punishing the students involved, and what strategies they utilized to create a successful legal campaign.

“How did leadership decide that the Loyola and Tulane student body were ready for an encampment? How did you address the fears of repercussions?” Spalt asked.

“National SDS put out a call and said you should do it [an encampment] too, and we talked about it. I’ll be honest, I was scared, there were repercussions that would come with such an act of defiance,” Juleea Berthelot of Loyola SDS explained how they and others from the student contingent in New Orleans decided to hold an encampment.

“Why do you think the administration was so harsh in punishing their students and sending militarized police to the encampment in the middle of the night?” Spalt continued.

“Tulane is a very difficult target for divestment, and I think that’s why the response was so militarized and also because our Governor is Jeff Landry,” Rory Macdonald of Tulane SDS answered. They went on to explain why the militarized police response was so quick compared to other encampments across the country. “Because of the political conditions [of being in a red state] here, at Tulane and in Louisiana – at Columbia, for example, it took them a long time to get to the level of military police that we saw in under 48 hours.” Macdonald explained the tense political atmosphere of the state caused the quick response from police.

“What strategies were utilized to create a successful legal campaign? Were there disagreements on what avenues should be used between the defendants and the lawyers? If yes, how did you decide what to do?” Spalt followed.

Carson Cruse of FRSO and Loyola SDS explained that any trial involved in organizing is inherently a political trial. Cruse went on to say, “to build a successful legal strategy we have to have a successful political strategy.” He explained the need to inform the public of the true political nature of the trial.

“We need all sorts of mass movements to combat political repression. We had members of Freedom Road, we had members of SDS, we had members of New Orleans Stop Helping Israel’s Ports, NOCOP ]New Orleans for Community Oversight of the Police], all these different organizations were affected by this political repression,” Cruse told the audience. This united front of mass movements gave them the power to fight back against this political repression.

Students at LSU felt inspired by the panel, and Loyola and Tulane SDS were able to share their experiences with them. These lessons learned from administration’s repression only worked to strengthen the student movement and create dedicated student activists across multiple Louisiana campuses.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #AntiWarMovement #StudentMovement #Palestine #SDS

Baton Rouge, LA – On October 7, 30 Louisiana State University students rallied outside of their student union to resist after one year of Israel's ongoing, lethal siege on Gaza. Students were rallying to not only honor the martyrs of Palestine but to draw attention to the ways the university has worked to financially support and legitimize Israel. They also protested the Israeli and U.S.-backed escalation, which is expanding the war to Lebanon and other parts of the Middle-East.

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organized the march. They pointed to the GoMed Consortium. This is a collaboration between Israeli and Louisiana universities, including LSU, meant to develop “more efficient” and “greener” oil drilling methods. These methods steal oil from Palestine and bring that same technology to the Gulf of Mexico. LSU also received a $27.5 million grant, referred to as the “Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) initiative.” This grant will partner with big oil companies like Chevron, Shell, and Exxon Mobil that have been paying billions of dollars to Israel to acquire drilling licenses. With these demands, SDS also called for LSU to disclose how the university spends tuition money and other funding.

After rallying, SDS led a disciplined march across campus to their president and administrator's office to hand deliver their demands. Upon arriving at his office, protesters placed copies of the letter on the windshield of President William F. Tate IV’s car. They also gave a stack of letters to the front desk of his office. Students stood outside and read the letter using amplified sound.

They voiced the following demands, reprinted here:

“One, LSU must disclose all financial records and divest accordingly, including endowments, donations, mutual fund portfolios, and all other holdings and investments made by LSU. Two, LSU must cut all ties with companies that profit from Israel’s genocide. This specifically includes Chevron, a company that pays billions of dollars to Israel to acquire oil drilling licenses. Additionally, LSU must look closely at their partners for the FUEL initiative and cut ties with all companies that are profiting or supporting Palestine’s occupation. Three, LSU must release a statement of condolence for their Palestinian students and staff and condemn the genocide that has claimed more than 40,000 lives and caused the destruction of every university in Palestine. Four, LSU must back out of all academic collaborations with Israeli universities, including the GoMed Consortium. Five, LSU must condemn Delta Tau Delta’s blatant display of racism that caused anguish for Palestinian students who have been directly impacted by the bombings in Palestine.”

Earlier in the fall, the fraternity Delta Tau Delta hung up a banner outside of their house that read, “What does Nicholson and Palestine have in common? Getting bombed.” This banner compared LSU’s rival football team and the genocide in Palestine. It sparked anguish and outrage among LSU’s Palestinian students. The university did not respond to students demanding a public statement on the matter.

Before students finished their march, they sang The Mighty Mighty Students, including the lyric, “President Tate, you're a lazy lazy bastard, for cutting a check, and sitting on your ass!” Students delivered this message after President Tate’s salary doubled over the year and the university’s motion to increase student’s tuition.

As the march ended, SDS announced they would not be surrendering or giving up, despite the university’s apathy. LSU Students are ready and inspired to continue their fight against administration.

#BatonRougeLA #LA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #SDS #StudentMovement