A variety of students gathered in the visual arts building on Wednesday to make posters in support of the protest that will be held in downtown Goshen this Saturday. The event was organized by students from the student task force — the organization’s current name that the leaders hope will soon become more refined, as they plan to submit an application to become an official club soon.
The event opened with a brief presentation from the planners, explaining the reason for gathering, and providing ideas for possible poster slogans — such as “we are human,” “unidos jamás seremos vencidos” or “no human is illegal.”
Ashley Garcia Coto, a junior biochemistry and molecular biology major, was one of the primary organizers of the event. She said that initially the group was hoping to have a protest on campus, but after hearing of the one being held downtown and speaking with Goshen administrators, they decided to pivot and hold an event in support instead. Garcia Coto said the main inspiration for making posters was “to help amplify immigrant choices and also be the voice for people who aren’t able to do this.”
She also referenced several of the recent posts from the official White House Instagram as a reason for increased fear in the community. About the posts, Garcia Coto said, “That is so inhumane and so unprofessional to do from an official account.”
Gustavo Gonzalez, a junior math and secondary education major, said that for him, going to the event “made me feel very seen, where it’s just like I’m not insane for thinking this is wrong, and it also gives me an outlet to contribute.”
As the event was ending, other students brought in a large banner that they had already decorated, to stand in solidarity with the other posters.
In light of the current situation happening in the country and in the state, Gilberto Pérez Jr., dean of students and vice president for student life and Hispanic serving initiatives, said, “I’ve been so impressed with how the students have come together. They are experiencing a mix of emotions, but at the same time, you see their resilience and their resolve to want to be together.” Even though the organization is not yet officially affiliated with the college, Pérez Jr. said, “as a college, we support our students in the work that they’re doing for finding justice that we all need in the world.”
