Tampa, FL – The Tampa Bay chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a rally April 3 to stand against the U.S.-Mexico border wall and demand protections for immigrant students at the University of South Florida (USF). One of these protections is non-deputization of campus police to enforce immigration policy. The event featured a mock border wall, symbolizing the recent attacks on immigrants by the U.S. government.
Tampa, FL – On February 28, the Tampa Bay chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held a Black Lives Matter rally at the University of South Florida for the seventh anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death. In 2012, Trayvon Martin, 17, was shot and killed by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida, after returning from a nearby gas station. The trial of Zimmerman became a national phenomenon with him walking free due to Florida’s ‘stand your ground’ law. The shooting is still fresh on Florida’s mind, with many questioning the judicial system that let a man off with murder.
Oshkosh, WI – On Oct. 25, UW-Oshkosh Students for a Democratic Society (UWO SDS) hosted an event regarding the campus administration's current budget cutting policies. Members of UWO SDS were joined via Google Hangout by a leading student activist from UW-Superior and a member of UW-Parkside SDS, as well as a few members of the UWO faculty.
Tampa, FL – Tampa Bay Students for Democratic Society (SDS) held an immigration panel at the University of South Florida October 15, as part of their ongoing campaign for USF administration to not comply with federal immigration efforts on campus. Their demands for university non-compliance with DHS, the FBI and ICE come amid national student struggle against university complicity with anti-immigrant measures.
Tampa, FL – On October 4, over 20 students protested at the University of South Florida against the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court. Students denounced the Trump administration for the mishandling of the accusations against Kavanaugh, their rushed FBI investigation, and Trump’s mocking and blatant disrespect for Christine Blasey Ford, one of the survivors. Protesters were also disgusted by the blatant rape apologism demonstrated by prominent Senate Republicans, such as Lindsey Graham.
Madison, WI – On May 9, dozens of students, faculty, campus workers and supporters gathered on the steps of the capitol building just off of State Street in Madison, to protest the continued attacks against public education. These attacks predate Governor Scott Walker's administration but have intensified significantly since he took office in 2011. People came from Steven's Point, Eau Claire, Kenosha, Oshkosh (represented by UW-Oshkosh Students for a Democratic Society), Madison and elsewhere.
Tallahassee, FL – Florida State University (FSU) Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) launched a campaign in 2016 to remove a racist statue and rename two buildings on FSU’s campus. On May 4, SDS’s demands were met when an advisory panel voted to recommend that the university remove the Francis Eppes statue, and rename both Eppes Hall and BK Roberts Hall.
Denver, CO – Denver Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO) held a gathering in front of the Colorado capitol building on May 1 to celebrate International Workers Day. The Front Range Socialist Party and John Brown Gun Club held a food and clothing drive at the same location.
Tallahassee, FL – The Florida State University (FSU) chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) held an April 12 event to raise awareness of the racism on their campus, and gave presentations detailing the history of FSU’s founding. Several SDS members gave presentations mentioning Francis Eppes, the man whom FSU honors as its founder.
Tallahassee, FL – On April 18, students and community members attended a rally held by the local chapter of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), to oppose the recent missile strikes against Syria.
Oshkosh, WI – On April 11, members of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO) held an emergency rally to demonstrate against the impending U.S.-led military escalation in Syria.
Oshkosh, WI – On Mar. 5, more than 50 students participated in a march around the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (UWO) campus which culminated in the public announcement of a list of demands developed by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), followed immediately by the delivery of a letter containing the list to campus administration.
Lakewood, CO – On Oct. 11, at Red Rocks Community College here, students and faculty members gathered to hold a vigil for Heather Heyer, the 32-year-old woman who was killed by white supremacists in August. Speakers included Denver SDS members Jarrid Carroll-Frey, Amber Hott, as well as a musical tribute from Ralph Mallet.
Salt Lake City – 400 people gathered to protest Ben Shapiro’s speaking spot, Sept. 27, on the University of Utah Campus. The protest was led by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and Black Lives Matter-SLC with the demand that hate speech has no place on campus and would be met with counter-protest. Ian Decker of SDS wrote a letter to the editor of the Salt Lake Tribune and said, “We have no shame in saying that we intend to shut down Ben Shapiro.”
Los Angeles, CA – On Jan. 20, Students for a Democratic Society at Pasadena City College (SDS PCC) took to the streets to join in a pro-immigrant march against Trump. The March Against Trump was organized by Centro CSO, along with SDS PCC, to stand in with the community of Boyle Heights. Holding a red SDS flag, they sent a clear message: when you dare to struggle you dare to win.
Salt Lake City, UT- On Jan. 19, 50 University of Utah students walked out of their classes at 11:50 a.m. to protest the Trump inauguration. The students marched despite a university-wide memo stating they will “not be excused.” Led by Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), they gathered at Library Plaza to speak out against Trump’s bigoted agenda and demand a sanctuary campus for undocumented immigrant students.
Tampa, FL – On Jan. 20, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) organized a nationwide student walkout in protest of President Trump’s inauguration, his racist, xenophobic agenda, and his cabinet choices of millionaires and billionaires. His choices so far promise a four years filled with more war, deportations, the privatization of education, union-busting and threats to the rights of women and LGBTQ people. In over 25 cities around the country, SDS chapters led walkouts of classes and marched under the slogans: “Stop Trump’s Agenda! Education For All! Sanctuary For All!”
Tampa, FL – On Jan. 20, 200 students and faculty at the University of South Florida (USF) walked out of their classes to show their anger for the inauguration of Donald Trump. Donald Trump has made it clear that his presidency will be dominated by anti-immigrant, islamophobic, misogynistic, and pro-war policies. The students and faculty that participated in the walkout and rally wanted to send the united message that they will stand against Trump’s bigoted agenda, and with all those affected by it.
Davis, CA – Students at the University of California-Davis shut down two alt-right mouthpieces Jan. 13 – fake news editor Milo Yiannopoulos and former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli. Milo Yiannopoulos is known for fake news stories, hate speech, and his hurt feelings when confronted by protesters. Martin Shkreli is infamous for his decision to raise the price of Daraphim, an HIV and cancer drug, by 56 times its original price. Shkreli was also recently suspended from Twitter for sexually harassing a female reporter. This mirrors Yiannopoulos’s ban from Twitter for leading his followers in harassing actor Leslie Jones.
