A group of Washington State University Vancouver students and staff joined hands Thursday in a show of post-election unity.
Mirroring similar college demonstrations across the country in the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory last week, about 75 people gathered in the center of campus, shouting “Love not hate makes America great” and “No justice, no peace.”
“It’s not about contesting the election per se, but about being a beacon of hope, progressive actions and policies,” said Scott Calvert, a 38-year-old anthropology graduate student who helped organize the demonstration.
At local colleges, staff are working to address concerns over the results of the contentious 2016 election. WSU Vancouver’s top administrators sent an email campus-wide on Monday urging people to remain civil in a time of uncertainty.
“It is important to discuss our differences, and equally important that we do so in ways that express mutual respect,” the email said. “And in doing so, we become a stronger community.”
Jose Scott, a 21-year-old junior, is the vice president of college organization Black People United. Scott joined the demonstration to promote a message of love and support among WSU’s students. Scott has been pleased so far by how the WSU community has responded to the election, he said.
“I just think it’s important to promote love and unity in such a time as now,” Scott said. “This is a safe place, no matter who you are.”
At Clark College, Vice President of Instruction Tim Cook sent an email to faculty highlighting students’ fears, including those of undocumented students who are worried about being able to finish their education. According to Cook’s email, some of the college’s 99 international students are being asked by their families to return home.
“Clark College is a place where we support each other, care deeply for our students and work daily to make a positive impact on society,” Cook wrote. “We have much work to do.”
It’s not unusual for school officials to send similar messaging in times of uncertainty, Cook said. However, Cook said he cannot recall a time he’s had to respond in such a way after a presidential election.
“I just think it was a culmination of the number of conversations with faculty and students’ overall fear and concern and just sort of a sadness overall about what does this mean and where do we go,” Cook said. “Every day there was something.”
