By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
Hundreds of students from Howard University (HU) walked out of classes on Jan. 30 in a carefully planned, peaceful and constitutionally protected march through the streets of Washington, D.C., to the White House to demand an end to immigration authorities’ inhumane tactics.
As the trio of students who conceived and organized the event said, their goal was to protest the violence and harm inflicted by federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to stand in solidarity with individuals and families who have been murdered, detained, displaced or traumatized by state-sanctioned immigration enforcement.
One of the organizers, Philadelphia, Pa. native Zahir Kalam Id-Din, 20, said after watching a group of students take the lead in a march and protest on YouTube, he was convinced that Howard students should get more involved in similar fashion.
“Watching students just like me get involved sparked a lot of emotion in me,” Kalam Id-Din said. “That was the beginning of what happened today. The logistics came easily which was surprising and in six days our plans were complete. We were shocked to see nearly 500 HU students participate and as we marched through the streets of D.C., students from other colleges, including American University and Georgetown joined us.”
He adamantly stated that his generation should not be discounted by federal or local political officials.
“We are determined to convince more young adults to join us and combine forces so we can become a powerful voice for change,” he said. “So much harm is going on, especially with ICE agents, which we can no longer ignore. We are America’s future teachers, doctors, lawyers, even construction workers and road builders, and it’s our responsibility to take control of our future and to rewrite history – one that we can be proud of.”
Kalam Id-Din’s co-planning colleagues included Kalia Bain, who spearheaded communications, and Mahoro Amani, a 19-year-old from Miami, Fla., who led a pep rally of sorts on the steps of the Black-owned Sankofa Video, Books and Café, a popular meeting place located just off the campus grounds.
The program featured a pouring of libations to the ancestors, whose presence students invoked for the march that would follow; the singing of the Black National Anthem, a provocative spoken word reading and a fiery speech.
Amani said while the march was originally scheduled to conclude at the White House, the route was extended to Chinatown after marchers met up with another rally led by the Party for Socialism and Liberation.
Students reflect on why they marched and next steps
The young demonstrators were motivated by various interconnected motivators.
“I’m concerned about the economy – the global economy, which seems to be set up to fail most of the world’s citizens,” Amani said. “For centuries, people in search of a better life have moved to America. But now, we’re told to hate them, and to hate one another – even those who are now legal citizens. It shows up in everything and everywhere.”
Kalam Id-Din said he has become overwhelmed by the numerous distractions and the surge of anxiety and uncertainty that continue to impact more Americans each day.
Credit: AFRO Photo/ D. Kevin McNeir
“My classmates and I are finding it harder to focus on our studies with all that’s happening in the U.S. and around the world,” he said.
“We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but we do know that today our education is at risk, and we feel vulnerable,” he continued. “We should be focused on learning, not worrying about our right to vote, to protest, or to voice our concerns freely being taken away from us.”
Several students pointed to the unlawful detention of immigrants, surveillance of communities, and the normalization of state violence against Black, Brown, and immigrant people as reasons that they are demanding a future in which communities are supported rather than targeted.
“It’s time for young people to show that we’re angry over what’s happening, and we did that today by marching and chanting,” said Ytinu McDonald, 17, from Savannah, Ga. “It’s time for us to speak up and speak out if we want to see change occur. We’re here to make a difference.”
Credit: AFRO Photo/ D. Kevin McNeir
Howard University student and Columbus, Ohio native, Zion Randall, 18, said he’s against what ICE is doing.
“It’s too much. I had to get involved and I plan to continue to do whatever I can to support other protests and actions led by young adults. Americans are being hurt and killed and that’s wrong,” Randall said.
Namiah Phillips’ statements were more emotional for reasons that soon became obvious.
Credit: AFRO Photo/ D. Kevin McNeir
“I am very sad,” said the 18-year-old, who instead of marching took refuge in the Sankofa bookstore because of an upcoming calculus exam. “People, some with families, have been in the U.S. for many years and now, they’re being harassed and arrested by ICE. I am half Mexican and I’m proud that my parents immigrated to America and gained their citizenship. They even have a letter from President Reagan which they keep with their green cards. This is all very close to me – too close – and I’m worried about my friends and family who live in my hometown, Las Vegas, Nev., and in other parts of the U.S. like California.”
Amani said no plans have been discussed or made about future protests. But she’s sure this is just the beginning.
“There’s so much energy and so many positive suggestions that we’re excited to move things forward,” she said. “We had such a huge turnout – much larger than we imagined. And it came together in such a short amount of time. We believe it’s our responsibility to do something more, something bigger. And we will.”
