Miami students stage walk-out to protest ICE

Miami University’s campus seal, also known as “The Hub,” was packed with students and faculty on Jan. 30 as part of a walk-out organized by the university’s Ohio Student Association (OSA), Young Democratic Socialists of America and the College Democrats at Miami (MUCD) chapters.

As anti-ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) demonstrations were hosted across the country, Kali Barcroft, a 19-year-old sophomore and president of the Miami OSA chapter, said her organization was present at the event to “stand in solidarity with schools across the country.”

More specifically, she said Miami OSA answered a “nationwide call” from students in Minneapolis who contacted the Students Rise Up network to stand with them in protest. The campus walk-out, which Barcroft said was planned in four days, lasted for three hours, and she said nearly 450 people attended.

Additionally, Barcroft said her chapter had a list of demands for the university, which they had communicated to Miami administrators, including that they clearly communicate the rights of students on and off campus and point out where student safe spaces are on campus.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the turnout that we have here and all the brave students that came and showed up to stand with us today,” Barcroft said.

The Oxford Free Press reached out to the university for a comment, although it has not yet received a response. 

Rachel Makarowski, vice president of librarians for the Faculty Alliance of Miami (FAM), attended the walk-out and said the faculty union is attempting to show its support for students by pointing to community resources and endorsing actions and protests by other groups.

“We’ve had some students come to us with concerns. We’ve also honestly had staff and faculty who have come to us with concerns,” Makarowski said. “It’s easy to think that in a small town, that these things won’t happen here, but the fact of the matter is, our community extends beyond even Oxford itself.”

Anna Sergio, a 19-year-old sophomore and vice president of MUCD, said she attended the protest because of the “subhuman” treatment of immigrants she’s seen.

As Springfield is waiting for an “ICE surge,” according to initial reporting by the Cincinnati Enquirer, Sergio said she wants international students at Miami to feel welcome and for the university to make a statement in opposition to ICE.

Drew Kernan, a 22-year-old junior, said he’s “saddened” by what feels like a “general apathy” among some students or people who feel disaffected by the recent actions of ICE.

For example, 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot by an ICE agent on Jan. 7 while in her car, according to reporting by the Associated Press, for whom members of the Oxford community hosted a vigil in the city’s Uptown Parks in early January. Good was one of at least six people who have died during the recent immigration crackdown in the U.S., not including anyone who may have died while in custody, according to reporting by the Associated Press.

“I hope to show up to more of these events as we continue to build solidarity among the student population,” Kernan said. “It brings tears to my eyes. So many of my … dear friends and their family members don’t feel comfortable going to church anymore.”

Kernan said he feels there has been a shift on campus, and being “disaffected” is a luxury college students can no longer afford. He said he was also “disappointed” at the lack of response from the university.

Ryan Card, a 22-year-old senior, said there should be added pressure on universities to respond to ICE actions.

“I don’t think any university should be complacent in this,” Card said.