by Freeda Cathcart
Blacksburg – A group of students, protesters and community members marched from the Squire Student Center to Burruss Hall Monday Nov. 17, to protest the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors (BOV) meeting being held in Arlington.
The last time the BOV met in Blacksburg to suppress the university’s DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policy there was a large protest that greeted them. This time the BOV was too afraid to face the students whose lives they were going to make harder. The students named each BOV member and the crowd yelled “SHAME on (the BOV member’s name)” after each one.
A brave young Alexis Washington spoke for the first time at the protest. She had attended her first protest this past March. She’s an engineering student and reached out to the activist community to learn how to make a difference to stop the spread of fascism and hatred in our country. This protest she had the courage to raise her voice in public for the first time in opposition to the BOV’s plans.
Speaking boldly Alexis said…
“My name is Alexis Washington. I am a Black, queer woman. A black, queer woman who is sick and tired of my identity, my desire to just live as I am, being weaponized to justify white supremacy, fascism, and corrupt capitalism. And I am disgusted by the way this university has tried to dismantle the beautiful communities of the Lavender House and Ujima. But today, I wanted to talk about another label of mine that’s being weaponized.
I am a military brat, I am proud to say both of my parents served in the army. And it’s because of their service, that I was able to get the educational benefits that have allowed me to thrive at the institution and speak in front of you today.
This administration may think that my education and safety is an abuse of federal funding, but if we want to talk about abuse, let’s talk about the way this administration abuses our veterans. Y’all see this beautiful memorial standing here. I’m glad we could honor these people in death. Let me ask though, why do we always wait for death?
“We love our veterans, they fought for America, until it comes to keeping the promises made to them. Honors, Education, medication, disability benefits. Is it not worth it anymore because they didn’t give their lives to the cause? They just risked them. And through their “not enough” service my parents taught me one important thing: they served the people and fought for their constitutional freedoms, not a country, not a name, not a president, and certainly not a king, for The People.
I remember when people first started kneeling during the national anthem. There were some angry individuals that wanted my parents to feel contempt. But you know what, my mom stood proud and told them the truth. She fought for that; she fought for our right to care about our country and its people, our right to protest and make change. And when I look at all of you standing with me, I know this too is what she fought for.
Donald Trump and the BOV love to talk about honoring this country and then try to get rid of everything and everyone that makes this place so beautiful. They don’t know a damn thing about honor. So let’s teach them! Today, I am marching not just to protect these wonderful communities and safe spaces but to lead by example, and create the world my parents envisioned when they signed up to serve. And though we don’t always see eye to eye, and you’ll never catch me in army green, there is one thing we always agree on (and I want us to shout it so loud that every veteran and military brat will feel it in their spirit): No Justice? No Peace!”
First time protester and freshman, Allison Orellana-Deras, explained that she feels responsible to protest on behalf of her parents and community. While she was born in the US, her parents immigrated from Honduras and El Salvador. She’s worried that even though they have valid work permits they could be kidnapped and disappear.
The opposition movement to the current regime is growing stronger and more diverse. Young people are stepping up to take on the fight for their future. Many people are making plans to head to DC to participate in the events on the Remove The Regime website: RemoveTheRegime.com
Here are 2 main protests that people are encouraged to attend this weekend. The first one is the Veterans’ 2:00 rally on Friday, November 21 at 35 Columbus Monument Dr NE and the noon Main Rally at the Lincoln Memorial.
