The student protest at Pennsylvania Hall is continuing on into it’s second day. Many people have come to join us on the steps in protest of hate speech, and there was a large amount of students who sleep outside last night in the 30 degree weather. Students will be sleeping outside once again tonight to bring the protest into the weekend.
The cold cannot stop students from making their voices heard. There is a list of suggestions making its way through the protestors as we try to figure out ways to make our campus a safe place for everyone.
Throughout the night several professors arrived with supplies to help keep the protest going. People baked for us, bringing us warm items to help us ward off the cold. The library and Servo continue to cycle through with hot chocolate, coffee, and tea. We are backed by a large amount of the community to support our protest and our cause. Even as I write this professor arrive with pizza and drinks to help us be able to continue. We have been given sleeping bags and blankets as well to ensure that we are able to continue to sleep safely.
Anyone who wants to is welcome to join us as we sit on the steps. We sit for peace and for a stop of hateful language.
I sit on these steps because I will not stand for hate on my campus, or anywhere. I will especially not stand for my friends to be hurt. I will not stand for racism, sexism, or xenophobia.
My friends sit on these steps because they are sick of the hate around them. We are stronger together, so if you agree with us, please come join us. Join us for a few a minutes, for a couple hours, or even for the night.