Students rallied at the Auraria Higher Education Center on Wednesday, carrying signs and chanting demands to make the downtown Denver campus a “sanctuary” space for “undocumented students.”
More than 100 students, along with some faculty members, marched to different buildings on campus, delivering letters to top administrators and engaging in dialogue with school officials.
“Making the Auraria campus a sanctuary will help ensure the safety and well-being of all students, faculty and staff, particularly those who continue to be targeted by the 2016 presidential election,” the letter, signed by The Students of Auraria, said.
Auraria Campus students march out of Tivoli Center down Lawrence to a UCD building chanting for "sanctuary." pic.twitter.com/JByEzDLoid
— kieran nicholson (@kierannicholson) November 16, 2016
Protesters called for unity to resist possible future efforts aimed at deporting students in response to campaign rhetoric by President-elect Donald Trump.
“This group shows solidarity between all schools on campus, to show support for the students,” said Amanda Mejia, 23, a University of Colorado Denver junior majoring in criminal justice. “We’re demanding campus sanctuary.”
Students met with staff members of the three institutions — CU Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver and the Community College of Denver — that use the campus.
In a meeting with CU Denver Chancellor Dorothy Horrell, several members of the group asked questions while expressing concerns about deportation.
Horrell told students that CU Denver, as an institution, supports “social justice.”
The group voiced particular concerns for students afforded protection under an Obama-initiated program Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Trump has said he would repeal DACA.
“We welcome DACA students now. We want them to stay,” Horrell said. “We want to do everything we can to provide safety and security for students.”
Austyn Brown, 18, a freshman at Metro, joined the rally on behalf of all students.
“We have to learn to work together. What are we going to do to support each other?” Brown said. “This is about all students who are not being heard.”