HASA hosts peaceful protest after policy changes affect Hispanic community 

The Hispanic American Student Association hosted a peaceful protest  at Liberal Arts South on Wednesday, Feb. 26 to advocate for the Hispanic community amid recent policy changes affecting them.

HASA, in collaboration with Omega Delta Phi Fraternity, Inc. and Sigma Lambda Alpha Sorority Inc., hosted Broncho Unidos for members of the UCO community. 

The event began in the Liberal Arts auditorium with a moment of silence for Jocelynn Rojo Carranza, an 11 year-old girl from Texas who died by suicide after being bullied over her family’s immigration status. 

“Her story is a painful reminder of the struggles that many in our community face and today we want to hold a special place for her and the others who are struggling,” said Yadira Quintana, HASA Vice President. 

Gaby Giròn and Fernando Baquera, two UCO alumni, were guest speakers for the event. 

Giròn has been an advocate for navigating the higher education system as a first generation student.

Baquera has been an advocate for the Hispanic community by providing vital resources and organizing various protests in Oklahoma City. 

“Many events have raised concerns for the Hispanic community,” said Quintana. “Today we want to empower, inform and remind our Hispanic students that you’re not alone.” 

Within days of being in office, the Trump administration launched immigration raids in several cities such as Chicago, Colorado and Los Angeles.

The Trump administration also threw out former policies limiting the arrests of people in sensitive areas such as schools, churches and hospitals.

Trump also signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship, however this order was blocked by a federal court in New Hampshire. 

These and other executive orders that President Trump has signed that affect diversity, equity and inclusion have sparked fear, anxiety and anger within the community. This has led to several members of the community to participate in protests across the nation, even in Oklahoma. 

According to Bauqera, an estimated 200-300 people gathered outside the Oklahoma State Department Education meeting on Jan. 28 to protest against immigration raids and immigration data collection on schools. 

During the meeting the board voted unanimously to implement a new rule that would require parents to provide proof of their child’s immigration status when enrolling them into schools. The rule was aimed at helping President Trump’s immigration policies.  

Superintendent Ryan Walters said the collection of data would account for the number of illegal immigrants in schools and will help the state know how to direct education resources. 

The proposed rule will not keep students from enrolling or from attending school. It will be used to gather information on where to place teachers and resources. 

The data will also be given to the Trump administration if needed, according to Walters. Walters has expressed support for President Trump’s efforts to enforce immigration laws that include allowing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into Oklahoma schools.

Several school districts, including Oklahoma City Public Schools, will not comply with the proposed rule. 

“OKCPS does not, nor do we have plans to, collect the immigration status of our students or their families,” said OKCPS Superintendent Jaime Polk in a letter to parents and staff. 

During a news conference on Feb. 12, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt rejected the idea of having schools collect children’s immigration status when enrolling. 

“Collecting data on kids and using them as political pawns is not something that helps law enforcement,” Stitt said. “In Oklahoma our constitution says we’re going to educate all kids and I want to make sure every kid feels safe.” 

The day before the event, students gathered on the fourth floor of Max Chambers Library to create posters for the march.

Following the guest speakers, the attendees gathered with their posters, outside the lobby of Liberal Arts to begin the march. The march passed through campus and on 2nd street in Edmond before ultimately ending at the Blue Tent by the Nigh.