I attended a protest last Friday, November 11 on SUNY Oneonta's campus to show their dislike for the President-elect, Donald Trump. The protest was to defend the rights of the minority groups and non-privileged groups that the President-Elect has set out to marginalize throughout his campaign and his 100 Day Plan.
The protest began at 12:00 PM in the campus quad where the group had a permit to protest. Kevin Torres-Jurado, who hosted the event on Facebook, had some words for the group about remaining peaceful and what the protest was all about. Then, because the event took place on Veteran's Day and the group wanted to be respectful, they had a moment of silence for the Veterans who served and fought for their right to protest.
Credit: Danny DeRusso Photography
The group then began with chants and protests holding up signs that portrayed the ideas they wanted known for what they were protesting. Signs and flags advocating for people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, women, and many others, etc.
Credit: Jess Tyler Creative
Credit: Jess Tyler Creative
Credit: Danny DeRusso Photography
The group then proceeded to march up to Hunt Union and had student poetry read with another moment of silence for lives lost of members in the LGBTQ+ community and sang "This Little Light Of Mine" back down to the quad.
Credit: Danny DeRusso Photography
Another moment of silence to remember those lives that have been lost in racial violence with more student speakers, more peaceful protest and a final moment of silence for people who suffer from mental and physical disabilities and those who have suffered due to religious persecution.
Regardless of your thoughts on the election or the aftermath as it occurs, protesting is a right and this peaceful protest was really beautiful, supportive and all encompassing.