Rally protesting Trump’s attacks on higher education held at FSU

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By Sophia Harris Editor-in-Chief By Dylan Pichnarcik News Editor The Massachusetts State College Association (MSCA) Framingham Chapter held a rally on May 1 to address actions taken against higher education by the Trump administration. Approximately 50 students, staff, faculty members, and administrators gathered in front of the McCarthy Center to hear speeches from members of the Framingham State community, including faculty, staff, students, and President Nancy Niemi. The group then walked to the pedestrian footbridge over Route 9. Prior to the rally, MSCA issued “a statement of solidarity” denouncing policies of and actions by the Trump administration it says target marginalized communities and threaten core democratic and labor values. In the statement, the union, which represents faculty and librarians employed by the nine state universities, voiced support for immigrant communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Black, brown, and Indigenous groups, disabled individuals, and workers facing what it called increasing repression. “We insist on our solidarity with all those who are targeted and who are resisting deportation, dehumanization, exploitation, erasure, discrimination, repression, and oppression,” the MSCA said in a release. “We know that our struggles are interconnected.” The MSCA linked issues such as academic freedom, labor rights, and racial justice, arguing they cannot be separated from broader fights for social equity and human dignity. The statement called on faculty, students, and community members to organize and resist policies that threaten their rights. “Solidarity is our strength. Solidarity keeps us alive. We will not be divided. We will not be silenced. We will fight together,” the MSCA statement concluded. The declaration comes in the midst of a politically charged national environment, as protests and policy debates over immigration, education, and labor rights continue to intensify. Anthropology Professor Benjamin Alberti, the MSCA Framingham Chapter interim president, referenced the MSCA statement and said the purpose of the rally was to “push back against the attacks of the last 102 days of the Trump administration.” He said the rally was also organized to defend FSU communities that may be targeted. The MSCA Framingham Chapter is also protesting the Trump administration's actions against academic freedoms, including diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, according to Alberti. Alberti said FSU, as a public institution, has an advantage over private universities. He said the Trump administration is enacting a “shakedown” at private institutions by threatening to withhold funding. “We’re in a good position here with Massachusetts, which is a liberal state, and it’s pushing back against the Trump administration,” he said. He added he knows of people with mixed immigration status in the community who have signed over power of attorney to their children, held yard sales in case they are deported, and no longer take unnecessary risks. Alberti said he hoped the rally created a sense of unity within the FSU community and inspired “a sense of hope and solidarity and demonstrated to people … that you’re not alone and there are people doing things.”

Dylan Pichnarcik / THE GATEPOST

He said on the day of the rally, almost 1,000 cities in the United States were holding protests against the Trump administration. Niemi said, “There is a reason why education is targeted - it's because it works. “Public education works by empowering everyone in a community and a country to gain the tools that they need to live inclusively,” Niemi added. “Public educators help others learn, and that learning is dangerous to those who want all the control.” She said when public universities start to regulate what they teach, support, and stand for, and when colleges are driven by fear, “that truly is the beginning of the end of our academics.” Niemi said Framingham State will continue to contribute to “economic and cultural vitality regionally and in our local communities.” She added FSU fosters creativity and innovation and provides human resources to meet the fast-changing demands of the dynamic workforce. “America's colleges and universities prepare an educated citizenry to sustain our democracy. This is what we do and what we need to keep doing. Public education's purpose and honor have been questioned, and we are standing up. We will not deny the power of public education,” she said. During the rally, many students expressed their concern about the actions taken against immigrants by the Trump administration, including sophomore Marlín Polanco. Polanco said she knows many immigrants. “I have borne witness to their compassion, their love, their hard work, their dedication, and I have been devastated by what has been going on recently,” she said. Polanco read a poem she wrote. The poem says in part, “An immigrant signed the Declaration of Independence, and yet you think immigrants don’t give the country greatness. They came to this land with stars in their eyes. They were told that with hard work, they could reach their dreams by the next sunrise.” She continued, “So they listened, they listened to what you said, and created a life with nothing but a needle and a thread. “This is the land that preaches the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, yet it tries to smother the fire of an immigrant's success. “An immigrant signed the Declaration of Independence, kick-starting a nation with the potential to reach greatness. Why does this country behave so cold-hearted? It’s almost like we forgot where we even started,” Polanco’s poem concluded. Senior Marlee Griffin said she cried after hearing Polanco’s poem and it reflected her feelings about the current state of the nation. Griffin said holding a protest is important and shows “we’re not alone in this and a lot of people don’t want their rights taken away, because we’re the land of the free - we don’t hail to any kings.” Junior Jordayn Padilla said she believes “it is very important Framingham State is doing this.” Junior K-la Vazquez said it was important to her to participate in the rally, “especially for all of the people of color.” Senior Kaylee Beck said that as a woman, it was very important to her to use her voice in this manner. “We are using our privilege to be able to get educated, and today, we are making sure everyone gets that right, no matter where you are from,” Beck added. English Department Chair Lisa Eck said, “It is so inspiring to have our solidarity be made visible. “We are fighting for the version of America that we know and love, but that we feel alienated from now, which is why we have to fight back,” Eck added. Sociology & Criminology Professor Ira Silver said the rally was an “amazing show of solidarity,” and it is hopefully just the beginning. English Professor Kristen Abbott Bennett said, “It is nice to feel a sense of optimism when everything can feel so overwhelming.” English Professor Rachel Trousdale said she grew up surrounded by immigrants. “I profoundly value my right to freedom of expression as well as my right to academic freedom, and I am deeply alarmed by the systematic persecution of immigrants, LGBTQ+ folks, and anyone who disagrees with the Trump administration's ideologies.” She said that as a person who is Jewish, she is “especially disturbed by the weaponization of antisemitism.” World Languages Professor Inés Vañó García said she was excited to take part in the rally. Vañó García said on the day of the protest, Spain, the country she previously lived in, was celebrating Labour Day, also known as Día del Trabajador. She said she hoped the event showed the FSU community’s visibility and brought awareness to actions taken by the Trump administration. Vañó García said she felt empowered that the protest was attended by faculty and students. Sociology Professor Patricia Sánchez-Connally, class of ’01, said she hoped the rally raised awareness about issues facing the nation. She said she was “excited” to provide students with an outlet to express their opinions and thoughts safely. Sánchez-Connally said the current actions taken by the Trump administration are “really scary. “There are many students who are part of mixed-status families who are in fear that their loved ones may be in a position that is not good for the entire family,” she said. Sánchez-Connally said there is uncertainty in the nation because of new executive orders that continue to be announced daily. Senior Deanna Girard said it is “relieving to see our community cares about what is going on.” Senior Sofia Wilson said, “I am so glad so many people came out and did this today because it is nice to know our community cares.” Junior Rileigh Kelley said, “I am really glad the FSU community came together for this. It is truly inspiring.”