Allendale, MI – The Sultry Xi Nu chapter of the Sigma Gamma Rho sorority organized a vigil on the evening of Monday, September 22, at Grand Valley State University to honor the life of Demartravion “Trey” Reed, a young Black man who was found deceased on the campus of Delta State University in Mississippi last Monday. The rally was organized in partnership with the GVSU Pan-Hellenic Council and the Progressive Student Union.

Approximately 150 students came together holding signs and candles, forming a large circle beneath the GVSU Allendale campus clock tower. Through the course of the vigil, students stood before the crowd and gave their thoughts, positive and negative, on the position of the Black student community at GVSU and the country at large.

Many students commented on the power of the people on display at the vigil, and the unity present between white and Black students. Others spoke on how they felt endangered by the recent increase in white supremacist hate speech and violence around the country. One Black student walked up to the front of crowd, and declared that Trey Reed had not died by suicide, but was lynched.

Julia Haynes, the Sultry Xi Nu chapter president and community service coordinator, commented on the vigil, “The vigil for Trey Reed was about more than mourning to me, it was about community. People came together and shared their stories, whether painful or uplifting, and in doing so, we honored Trey’s life.”

Haynes continued, “The vigil created a space of support, reflection and solidarity, reminding us of the power of standing together in moments of grief and injustice.”

There was a wide variety of student organizations at the vigil. Representatives of many Black fraternities and sororities spoke, as well as members of various Black cultural and community service organizations. There were also comments of solidarity by members of the Progressive Student Union and the GVSU Skateboarding Club. Unity of the Black student community and broad unity of the multinational student body were prevalent themes.

The racist and reactionary rhetoric of people like President Donald Trump has given rise to more threats against Black people in the United States. Many historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) throughout the Black Belt South have faced threats of violence in recent weeks.

To the students at GVSU, the death of Trey Reed is a tragic part of that recent rise in racism and violence, but the unity of the Black student body and the solidarity of GVSU students at large shows that the true power to challenge these attacks remains in the hands of the people.

#AllendaleMI #MI #InJusticeSystem #StudentMovement #OppressedNationalities #AfricanAmerican #PSU

Allendale, MI – On January 29, Grand Valley State University's Progressive Student Union (PSU) led a speak-out against the new Trump administration. People held signs relating to healthcare, immigration, LGBTQ rights and other causes. The mood was casual, and people joined the students in protest throughout the event.

PSU organizer Owen Frassetto said, “Trump and his administration are now waging attacks against all sorts of people in this country. We need to unite the organizations of these different groups to stand together against attacks on immigrants, on trans people, on public education, and so much more. Our work is cut out for us, but people are ready to stand together and act.”

Another organizer, Elisa Skinner, said, “If you think the direction the country is heading in is the best it can be, I invite you to take a look around and stand in someone else's shoes. We have families being ripped apart, laws and standards violated, and billionaires such as Elon Musk giving Nazi salutes and attending far-right rallies.”

Donald Trump's election has brought with it uncertainty in regard to civil rights and the future of oppressed people. As anew student organization, PSU is trying to unite all forces that can be united against Donald Trump on Grand Valley's campus.

The Progressive Student Union holds weekly meetings which are announced on their Instagram, @psugvsu

#AllendaleMI #GVSU #PSU #PSUGVSU #Trump #LGBTQ #LGBTQrights #Healthcare #Immigration

Portland, OR – On Saturday, January 25, about 200 people rallied at Terry Schrunk Plaza in Portland for a post-inauguration protest of Donald Trump. Many protesters held signs denouncing Trump and in defense of the people’s movements. After the rally, the protesters took the streets in a march through downtown.

Portland for Palestine organizer Kacey DeSantis welcomed the crowd, saying, “It is so good to see Portland standing against Trump and his reactionary, right-wing politics. As he repeals over 60 years of progressive legislation, we show up today to say that we will not go backwards. We must fight back against these attacks on our communities!”

Immediately after taking office, Trump greenlit action against immigrants, allowing raids to be conducted in churches, schools and hospitals. As a response, Mayor Keith Wilson reaffirmed Portland’s status as a sanctuary city and the importance of immigrants in our community. Despite this, local organizations and activists have become more vigilant due to the increased ICE presence across the country.

Omar Gil from the Freedom Road Socialist Organization spoke to the crowd, “these attacks were not possible without the inaction of the Democrats. Under Biden, border militarization and deportations continued. Trump is not an isolated evil; he is the inheritor of a system that operates like this by design. He is a representation of the fetter that capitalism has on the progression of society!”

Mutaz Al-Shawa spoke of his own experience as a Palestinian with family in Gaza, the utter defeat of Israel in accepting a ceasefire, and the inevitability of Palestinian liberation. Elaine Armstrong of CODEPINK Portland spoke of her personal experience growing up during the northern Ireland conflict, drawing parallels to the immense trauma that the children of Gaza have endured during the past 68 weeks of genocide.

When asked about Gaza, Donald Trump’s reactionary rhetoric is one of “cleaning out” Gaza, forcing neighboring countries to take in Palestinians, in an attempt to end the Palestinian national liberation struggle.

Sky Reimer, a member of Students for a Democratic Society at Portland State University, spoke on student’s rights and the importance of putting pressure on Portland State University administration. Portland State is currently under federal investigation for violation of Title VI, a section of federal civil rights law that protects students from discrimination based on race, color or national origin.

Reimer stated, “Islamophobic posters, hate speech, and harassment are allowed on campus. Meanwhile, PSU administration reprimands and expels students for protesting PSU’s ties to the genocide of Palestinians. They've put pro-Palestine organizations on probation, threatening them with dissolution. But the truth is clear, the administration is scared of us. They're scared because by fighting for positive change alongside each other, by joining organizations like SDS, we can make positive change, both on campus, and in the world!”

Trump has voiced support for the police crackdowns on the student encampments of 2024. He has vowed to increase repression on students, threatening foreign students with deportation if they dare to struggle against their administrations’ties to Israel and war profiteers.

Other speakers included a Starbucks Workers United member on worker’s rights and the necessity for class struggle unionism, and an organizer from the People’s March on women’s rights and healthcare.

During the march, protest chants like “No Trump, no KKK, no racist USA!” and “No ban, no wall, sanctuary for all!” echoed throughout the crowd. Cars drove past honking in support. Bystanders waved and raised fists in solidarity, some of them joined the march. People from a pro-immigrant demonstration also joined the march as it passed by Pioneer Courthouse Square.

The march ended with high energy and many people showed interest in how to get further involved. When asked about the event, Raea Dente replied, “What always has me coming back to events like these is community, uniting with others and passionately fighting for our collective future. It’s so empowering to see people show up and fight back together- this rally showed the heart and determination that Portland has.”

The organizers concluded the protest by urging attendees to organize and to continue building the mass movements necessary for the fight against Donald Trump and his right-wing reactionary agenda. The protest was organized by Portland for Palestine in coalition with SDS, FRSO and CODEPINK.

#PortlandOR #SDS #FRSO #CODEPINK #PortlandForPalestine #FreePalestine #SBWU #Trump #Inauguration #PSU

Arlington, TX – Student organizers carried out an anti-Trump banner drop and mass recruiting event at a club fair hosted on UTA campus, January 22.

Members of the Progressive Student Union at UT Arlington arrived early at a club fair to secure a table which we are often denied. Admin and university staff do everything in their power to block student outreach. Many organizers came out and dedicated a large part of their day to flyering and tabling around the event. This effort attracted a large number of students to the cause, which was shown in the meeting the organization had later that night.

The action which generated the most attention was the noon time anti-Republican banner drop. Over the main section of the fair, two organizers held a banner reading “Fight the racist reactionary Republican agenda.” As soon as the banner was up, administrators tried to shut it down, citing non-existence policies that they couldn't back up. Organizers held fast, demanding proof of the policies. Soon admin fled, unable to back up their claims.

The drop also generated attention from students, many of whom came up to talk with organizers about what they would do during the upcoming Trump administration. As said by a PSU member, “We're here to fight to maintain the piecemeal liberties our school gives us, and to push our cowardly administration to expand those rights in the face of Republican attacks, because if their behavior under previous legislation is anything to go by, they sure as hell won't stand up for us on their own.”

Students were overall receptive to this message and the organization received several signups from the banner drop alone.

It is more important now than ever that we have an organized front of students who can fight against the Trump administration's backward policies. The Progressive Student Union will continue to host actions which push back against administration, unite the student body, and show that no matter how much resistance they face, they will continue to fight.

#ArlingtonTX #TX #StudentMovement #PSU #Trump

At noon, the march began at the library with around 40 people, who then snaked their way through campus until they reached the administration building.

Inside the administration building eight students waited with bags of imitation blood for the main march to reach them. Once they did, the students poured the blood on themselves and laid on the floor in a representation of death and genocide. When the bottom floor was fully occupied, the students began chanting loud enough for everyone in the building to hear.

One student leader who went to the upper levels saw how many of those working had come out of their offices and were unable to ignore the volume of our demands. The students spent over an hour in the building, chanting their demands and making themselves heard. Afterward, the march continued, along with those who participated in the die-in, back to the library where the demands were reiterated one more time.

#ArlingtonTX #TX #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #PSU

Seattle, WA – On May 20, students at the University of Washington in Seattle ended their Palestine solidarity encampment following a protracted struggle that led to an agreement with the university administration. While not a complete win, the agreement marked a real step forward.

On Monday, April 29, students started an encampment. Begun by the Progressive Student Union, a chapter of New Students for a Democratic Society, the encampment had three demands: material and academic divestment from Israel, the cutting of ties with Boeing, and an end to the repression of pro-Palestinian staff, students and faculty.

The encampment grew, with organizations such as Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER), Resist US Led War, and the Muslim Student Association joining. By the end of the week, over 100 students and community members were on the Quad of the university. Students were doing their homework on the grass, while also participating in discussions with other encampments and reading groups around Palestinian novels.

While the university’s administration appeared at first to take a stance of waiting out the encampment, it was happy to let counter-protesters approach on two separate occasions. On Tuesday, May 7, Turning Point USA founder and director Charlie Kirk held a speaking event at UW. Those who came to listen to the racist, homophobic right-wing leader speak then came to the edge of the encampment, where they were met over 1000 people, led by the Palestinian Youth Movement, who had come out to show support for the students.

The student government passed a resolution supporting the demands of the encampment after months of dragging its feet. The encampment stressed its popular support, and connection with Palestine; Bissan Barghouti of Samidoun said, “Palestine will be freed, not by the ruling elite, but by the people!”

On Sunday, May 12, Zionists again marched to the encampment, this time explicitly in support of Israel. However, they were once again turned away by the community support for the encampment.

The encampment’s staying power is due to the organizing of the students and community members present. Those camping there could count on hot drinks and meals, whether they were donated or cooked at the encampment itself. Students were also able to join in the encampment even if they did not have supplies, thanks to generous community donations. Students often worked throughout the night to cook, clean, set up tents, and more. As the encampment showed that it would not fizzle out, administration was forced to make concessions.

The president of the University of Washington, Ana Mari Cauce, had originally announced to the entirety of the student body by email that “the University’s response to students’ calls for change will not be based on an encampment.” Many students recognized this as insulting, and wrong.

Mathieu Chabaud of the Progressive Student Union, stated. “If someone was on my front lawn, I’d listen to them.”

By Friday, May 17, Cauce was forced to publicly change her stance. The UW United Front for Palestinian Liberation, composed of many of the groups at the encampment, announced the details of an agreement made with the university. In return for ending the encampment, the University of Washington would begin the processes that would end UW’s financial investment in weapons manufacturers and companies with ties to the Israeli occupation of Palestine; establish a Palestinian studies center; hire Palestinian faculty; provide the resources for at least 20 students from Gaza to study at UW at no cost; and provide transparency on its ties to Boeing and other companies profiting from the Israeli occupation. The agreement also provided amnesty for students and community members who had camped on the Quad.

While not a full victory, the agreement is a strong step forward. It was only due to the encampment that the university made any concessions after years of ignoring students at the university. Students made it clear that they will continue to organize and put pressure on the board of regents and other bodies at the university as the process towards divestment continues.

#SeattleWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS #PSU #PYM #Samidoun

Tacoma, WA – On April 14, in Tollefson Plaza, approximately 30 protesters gathered in Tacoma to demand “U.S hands off Iran” at a rally called for by several Students for a Democratic Society chapters (SDS).

As activists began to gather at Tollefson Plaza, they chanted, “We demand justice, we demand peace! U.S. out of the Middle East!” Students and community members then gave speeches to condemn the provocation of Iran by the U.S. and Israel, amid the ongoing genocide being committed by Israel in Palestine.

SDS chapters present included the University of Puget Sound SDS, School of the Arts Tacoma SDS, the University of Washington Seattle Progressive Student Union, and the University of Washington Tacoma Progressive Student Union.

Xanat Romo, a member of SOTA SDS, added “Israel is starting to realize that the United States is steadily growing weaker and unstable and soon, they won't have the one of the world’s most hellish empires backing them up. Israel is starting to realize that whatever they get from the U.S. now is the most they’ll be getting.”

Annika Freeling, a member of UPS SDS, continued as to why the decline of U.S. imperialism has led to Israel’s genocidal aggression. She explained, “they’re scared that they can no longer launch air strikes on other countries without consequence. They know the time of their dominance is ending. This is why they were scared of Yemen; this is why they were scared of Lebanon, and most of all, this is why they were scared of Palestine.”

Talison Crosby, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization said, “This is a critical moment in history. The U.S. empire is declining. It's trying desperately to maintain its hegemonic grip, but the people of the world are not having it. The people want freedom and national liberation!”

As speeches wrapped up, Mantak Singh, a member of UWS PSU, took to the stage to encourage attendees to join the march on the Democratic National Convention planned for August 19, stating, “The Democratic Party has shown itself, especially in the past few months, to be more than willing to continue and further arm the genocide in Gaza.”

Singh continued, “This is why we are planning to march on the Democratic National Convention come August. In Chicago, the Democratic Party, with all their donors, delegates and politicians will descend on the city to coronate Genocide Joe as their nominee once again. They are going to celebrate themselves, clap themselves on the back, and prepare for another four years of arming a genocide.”

In the months ahead, SDS chapters plan to organize for the march on the DNC, bringing together a national coalition to put forward the people’s demands. Just as the crowd at Tollefson Plaza showed that people will not stand for U.S. retaliation against Iran, the people will show in August that they will not stand for the Democrat’s support for genocide.

#TacomaWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Iran #Palestine #StudentMovement #SDS #PSU

Seattle, WA – On March 29, United Auto Workers (UAW) 4121 held a rally in the quad of the University of Washington-Seattle campus to demand a strong contract. With over 1000 attendees at the rally, the UAW made clear that they will not abide by UW administration’s attacks on their healthcare, wages and their international workers.

After this rally, the UAW 4121 led a march from the quad to Gerberding Hall, UW’s administrative building, to stage a “work-in” to make their demands clear. While UW police attempted to lock the doors to prevent this action from occurring, the crowd rushed past them to fill the halls of the building. The rest of the union workers marched around the building until other entrances were opened up. Once inside, workers presented their demands to those administrators still in the building; most had left their offices earlier. Union members also continued to discuss next steps in the contract campaign, and how to organize their coworkers.

In the previous year, postdocs and research scientists, also members of UAW 4121, went on strike to fight for a strong contract as well. Higher minimum, and overall, pay was won, as well as better protections for job security. University administration attempted to intimidate workers, such as by threatening to report international workers to the government if they went on strike. The union responded by rallying public support and holding a rally until the threats were dropped.

Soohyung Hur, graduate student worker at the UW Department of Geography and one of the head stewards of UAW 4121, said, “The University of Washington is proposing to make academic student employees (ASEs) pay $1000 more a year for the healthcare plan we currently have, while giving us a 3% wage increase that they themselves admitted does not keep up with inflation. Altogether, this is a pay cut to the ASE salary which is already below poverty wage. Almost 1000 of us gathered at the rally to tell the UW that we will fight back against the increasing income inequality at the UW, in higher education, and the broader Puget Sound region.”

Mathieu Chabaud, a member of Progressive Student Union, said, “You can’t have admin be both your employer, and charge you fees. The only way to stop that is collective action.” Removing pay to work fees for graduate students are another key demand of the union; because academic student employees are also students, the university is trying to recapture any increases in pay by increasing fees in turn. The union’s demands would eliminate these fees, while also keeping the workload protections the university is trying to gut.

When asked about if the union would be able to keep up pressure, teaching assistant Zawad Chowdhury said, “I think so, there’s a lot of grad student energy.” With the contract expiring in a month, the union is preparing to intensify its contract campaign and win its demands.

#SeattleWA #WA #Labor #UAW #UAW4121 #SDS #PSU #GradWorkers #Feature

Seattle, WA – A crowd gathered around Seattle's World Trade Center for a February 9 protest against the U.S.-backed genocide in Palestine.

Chants of “Not another nickel! Not another dime! No more money for Israel's crimes!” could be heard not only from and within the building, but for blocks around. The protest called attention to the continued support of Israel's genocidal campaign by the U.S.

Speakers decried U.S. capitalists, some of whom do business inside the World Trade Center, for materially supporting a campaign of extermination in the pursuit of extracting further profit.

This event was organized by the Progressive Students’ Union, the University of Washington's chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, in collaboration with the Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression. It was one of many protests happening all across the country for in response to a call from the U.S. Palestinian Community Network (USPCN), the National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, and National Students for a Democratic Society.

“We see the hypocrisy in these institutions and are committed to use the voice that we have to challenge the forces that silence the masses,” said a member off the University of Puget Sound SDS. “Palestine is our cause, and the cause that ties us to every other struggle. I encourage us all to see the horrific conditions that have been live streamed for almost four months now, to inspire the action you can take from our positions within the belly of the beast.”

After several speakers, cars driven by activists moved to block entry to the lot in front of the World Trade Center. “We cannot allow business to continue as usual!” rang out the voices of student organizers. Chants and speeches continued, even as Seattle police grouped around in an attempt to intimidate protesters and break up the blockade, their attempts repeatedly foiled by the crowd.

Powerful speeches continued even still. “The Seattle World Trade Center is where the imperialists get together to carve up the world amongst themselves, and we are here today to say no more to imperialist profit and plunder!” said Clio Jensen, a rank-and-file union member and organizer with the FRSO. “We know that any movement of the oppressed that weakens imperialism is a good thing. It deserves our support and solidarity.’”

During the blockade and speeches, a banner drop was performed on the bridge overlooking the World Trade Center, a powerful image of solidarity visible across the dense area. After nearly two hours of disruption, well past the operating hours of the World Trade Center, the blockade began to clear out. This did not stop Seattle Police from attempting additional repression. A video caught one officer slashing tires as vehicles left the lot, a tactic used both in Seattle's 2020 George Floyd protests and those in Minneapolis.

Israel Vasquez, a member of the PSU, said, “As members of a democratic society, we cannot turn a blind eye to these atrocities. We must stand in solidarity with the oppressed and demand an end to the violence and injustice in Palestine and Yemen. This means holding accountable those who perpetuate these crimes, including governments and corporations that profit from the suffering of others!”

Shortly after the vehicles were moved, all the while surrounded by demonstrators chanting of “From the river to the sea!” and “SPD! KKK! IDF you're all the same!”, the police charged into the crowd without warning, tackling or throwing several protesters to the ground. One hit her head as she fell and was brought to the nearby Harborview Medical Center. Nearby members of the crowd were hit with clouds of pepper spray fired by officers without any sort of warning.

Once the crowd dispersed, an emergency rally was immediately organized. The crowd that before attended the rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people went to do the same for their comrades who had been wrongfully arrested. Chants and further speeches went on for several more hours, while SDS rapidly organized a national call-in demanding the immediate release of all four jailed activists. Other community members came out in support, providing food and drinks to the organizers and activists who had been out on the streets for hours and hours uninterrupted.

As of the time of this article, only one of the arrested protesters has been released. Charges are pending for the other three.

#SeattleWA #AntiWarMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #SDS #PSU #USPCN #NAARPR #WeekOfAction4Palestine #SAARPR #StudentMovement

E.H. Hereford’s legacy is that of Confederate sympathy and bigotry. He is credited for establishing the UTA’s “rebel” theme, prominent from 1951 to 1970. Through the efforts of student activists like Fahim Minkah, the Confederate theme was dropped, though Hereford’s bust still stands in the University Center. Robbed of its Confederate history, the statue’s placard echoes empty platitudes about how great of a man Hereford was, ignoring the legacy he built off of romanticizing a state that’s very purpose was the preservation of slavery.

Initially, the Progressive Student Union attempted to pursue the statue’s removal through the student government. Time and time again, however, they were stonewalled. Senators who claimed to represent the student body repeatedly shot down the creation of a referendum which would allow students to vote on the removal of the bust. There was outcry from the student body as tensions ran high in the student government chambers.

Realizing that student government was a waste of energy, PSU decided to bring the struggle all the way to the top, scheduling a meeting with the university’s president, though not without any pushback. Meetings were delayed and students grew frustrated. This energy coalesced in a rally and subsequent sit-in at the president’s office on March 22 of this year. A month later, a meeting between the president and the organization got the gears moving for the removal of the bust. Nearly nine months later, PSU's plan to have the statue removed was approved.

“We’d been fighting for the removal of the statue for a while, and we’re proud to say that we have confirmation,” states a PSU member.

#ArlingtonTX #StudentMovement #PSU

Arlington TX – On October 4, the Progressive Student Union (PSU) at University of Texas-Arlington hosted the longtime Chicano activist and co-founder of the Brown Berets, Carlos Montes. He arrived the day before as part of his speaking tour across Texas. Montes spoke to local organizers and activists about the Chicano national movement and how to build mass struggle.

A member of the Community Service Organization in Los Angeles, he is a wealth of knowledge with great experience. Montes covered how student activism can change an oppressive school system, much like the movie Walk Out, based on Chicano youth activism in Los Angeles.

He also explained how anti-war actions and solidarity with movements throughout Latin America and the Caribbean can change conditions both here at home and for oppressed people overseas. As a lifelong fighter for Chicano liberation in California where he currently resides, his speaking tour is strengthening the movements and passing on a legacy of struggle.

The campus event was exceptionally well received, as the 40 attendees actively discussed for two hours with Montes. Many questions were posed, suggestions for courses of action were exchanged, and mutual learning and consolidation pervaded the room.

After the event the attendees and Carlos Montes all convened outside of the University Hall where it was held. They continued the conversations amongst each other before heading for a dinner at a local Lebanese restaurant. Carlos openly thanked PSU for their efforts in putting the event together and concluded the gathering with a resounding call for and continued efforts towards liberation for all oppressed nationalities.

#ArlingtonTX #ChicanoLatino #PSU #ImmigrantRights

Seattle, WA – On Thursday, October 5, the Progressive Student Union at the University of Washington held a rally to begin a campaign to increase enrollment of Black, Latino and native students at the university. Over 20 students gathered at the steps of Suzzallo Library to demonstrate their support for the demands.

Black, Latino and student from native nations at the University of Washington are drastically underrepresented. Based on the enrollment numbers for the incoming class of 2022, which have not been released in detail publicly, less than 10% of new students in 2022 were Latino, 3.9% were African American or Black, and less than a quarter of a percent were native. Despite this, the university continued to boast of having one of the most diverse incoming classes in its history.

As a result of escalating attacks on diversity nationwide, the Progressive Student Union at the University of Washington, a chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, decided to take up a campaign to increase enrollment of these groups. Israel Vazquez, a member of the Progressive Student Union, spoke to the effect that low enrollment of oppressed peoples has at UW, stating “What message does it send to me when I come to UW, and I have to search for my community? When I’m one of the only Chicanos in my classes? It tells me that I’m alone.”

The administration has paid lip service to similar demands in the past, but students said that they were tired of a lack of action. Milan Suárez, of the Students for Farm Workers, said, “We desperately seek community on campus, and we’re tired of being our own support system.” Jonathan Toledo, a member of the Seattle Alliance against Racist and Political Repression, described the primary reasons for a lack of enrollment as “antagonistic administration” and “the general cost of classes.”

The rally finished with Mathieu Chabaud, another member of the Progressive Student Union, explaining the historical context for the current campaign, saying, “What we have here today at this university, in terms of enrollment, ethnic studies, the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, was created because students fought for it and made administration implement it.”

In 1968, the Black Student Union held a sit-in that culminated in the university agreeing to create ethnic studies programs and increase Black enrollment, which also had the effect of significantly increasing Latino and native enrollment. Chabaud ended with a call to rebuild the gains of the student movement in the past, and force administration to commit to increasing enrollment of oppressed nationalities again.

#SeattleWA #PSU #SDS #AfricanAmerican #Chicano #Latino #SAARPR #IncreaseBlackEnrollment

Arlington, TX – On March 23, Progressive Student Union at the University of Texas at Arlington held a protest condemning the transphobic attacks that Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick have imposed on Texan families. Both men attempted to direct the state Department of Family and Protective Custody to consider gender reaffirming therapeutics, such as puberty blockers, hormonal treatment and other aspects of trans healthcare, to be classified as “child abuse,” thereby making both families that support their trans youth and licensed professionals who are either aware of or support said youths getting the necessary healthcare liable to charges of “child abuse” or “abetting child abuse.”

The demonstration had 20 participants, and several Progressive Student Union (PSU) members gave speeches regarding defending trans youth and condemning the agenda of Abbott’s administration. PSU’s Ren Butter stated, “We have to stand up against transphobia, because we see that they’re going to continually attack us for trying to live.”

Jay Rodriguez and Rick Majumdar spoke on the fact these attacks are happening as part of a national campaign to roll back the hard-fought civil liberties that the LGBTQ+ community has won over the years.

Mark Napieralski, chief organizer of PSU, brought the focus back to the University of Texas at Arlington as he said, “There are many lacking things regarding LGBTQ+ support on campus, despite the claims that they support diversity,” and he announced that PSU has five demands.

Then five members of PSU each spoke about the five-point demands that the organization was issuing to UTA: To have gender neutral housing units in every single dorm; have dispensers for menstrual healthcare products in every single gender neutral bathroom on campus; hiring more counselors who specialize in gender dysphoria and mental health issues related to the LGBTQ+ community; that President Teik C Lim and future president write a statement condemning transphobia and setting up policies to oppose transphobia on campus; and that UTA follow the city of Austin’s example and declare itself a sanctuary campus for the LGBTQ+ community.

PSU will be continuing to agitate and demand equity for the trans community on campus.

#ArlingtonTX #LGBTQRights #UniversityOfTexasArlington #antiLGBTQLegislation #Abbott #PSU #transphobia