University of Toledo students on Monday joined a national wave of protest against President Trump’s ban on immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries.
Hundreds of students paraded through campus in a protest organized by the Muslim Student Association and the Gamma Nu chapter of the Iota Phi Theta fraternity. A few UT faculty and local community members were sprinkled in with the crowd, carrying signs and chanting sentiments such as, “No hate, no fear, refugees are welcome here.”
Mr. Trump’s executive order issued Friday prohibits immigrants from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen from entering the U.S. for 120 days, and restricts immigration from Syria indefinitely.
UT senior and student body president Amal Mohamed was born in Toledo, but her father immigrated from Egypt. Her mother was born in Lebanon, but grew up in Syria.
“It makes us look like we’re no longer a melting pot,” Ms. Mohamed said. “It makes us look ignorant and fearful. I was born and raised here, and I feel like I’m no longer wanted.”
Ms. Mohamed’s parents are in America, but most of her mother’s family is in Syria. Her mother has doubts family members will ever be able to visit her.
“I know people from every single one of those countries listed whose families are going to be affected by this,” Ms. Mohamed said. “Syria probably has the biggest refugee crisis right now. To turn people from that country away is not what America stands for.”
The crowd gathered outside the student union before marching to the Gateway area at the corner of Secor Road and Dorr Street. Dozens of motorists honked their horns in support as the students walked down Secor before crossing Bancroft Street.
UT said in a statement none of its 75 students from the seven nations named are abroad and are not impacted. Students from affected countries were advised to avoid international travel.
Bowling Green State University has 21 such students. All are currently on campus.
“BGSU will be advocating for affected students and all members of our international community with our representatives in Congress and in collaboration with Ohio’s Inter-University Council, the Association of American Universities, and other higher education organizations,” said President Mary Mazey.
About 250 people gathered at BG Commons in Bowling Green on Sunday to protest the executive order.
Ehsan Nabiyouni, a 36-year-old Toledo student, is a dual citizen of the United States and his birth country of Iran. He said he’s not worried about going back and forth, but is concerned for his friends living in Iran.
“I’m worried they can’t come to visit,” he said. “I can go there, but they want to come here and visit this great country, but they can’t do it anymore. Everyone wants to come here because this is the land of the free, but other countries now see that America is closing its doors on them.”
The crowd of about 500 was filled with a mix of ages, races, and religions.
Many residents in the neighborhoods exited their homes to wave, take pictures, and shout messages of support. One woman yelled, “Good job; we’re with you guys.”
“It just felt really great to see Toledo agrees with our message,” junior Emily Schnipke said. “America is for the people. It’s supposed to be a melting pot of different cultures, but Trump’s Muslim ban takes a group and totally puts them out. We aren’t going to just sit here and take this lying down.”
Protesters agreed the university is one of acceptance and inclusion.
“I don’t think I would be this brave to go in front of a crowd and speak or even have the courage to protest if it wasn’t for the incredible environment this university cultivates,” Ms. Mohamed said.
Blade Writer Nolan Rosenkrans contributed to this report.
Contact Jay Skebba at: jskebba@theblade.com, 419-376-9414, or on Twitter @JaySkebbaBlade.
First Published January 31, 2017, 5:00 a.m.
