Trinity Diversity Connection (TDC), in collaboration with Habiba Noor, professor of urban studies, hosted four panelists from Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) and San Antonio Students for Peace (SASP) on Feb. 6 from 3-5 p.m.
SEAT and SASP provide legal and organizational aid for students, as well as petition politicians for legislation representing them. Three panelists were from SEAT, including Executive Director Cameron Samuels, Federal Policy Director Ayaan Moledina and Engagement Associate Valentina Rivas Labarca. Claire Lewis, SASP founder and executive director also joined them on the panel.
Much of the discussion centered around San Antonio students protesting the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the city. Lewis expressed excitement about seeing students walk out across the city, and despite anxiety about whether the movement will keep its momentum, she said she was optimistic.
Lewis is currently conducting a research project on the walkouts, asking students via Google Forms how they felt about their protest experience. Answers show that nearly half of the students who answered called the protest “life-changing,” proving that students are not just walking out to skip school but to actually participate in a cause, she said.
SEAT panelists shared stories behind their legislation to protect students, including the Safe Schools Improvement Act, which would require schools to create anti-bullying protocols. They’ve also petitioned for mental health legislation that changes who responds to life-threatening mental health crises.
After the event, Beyza Yildirim, senior political science major and president of TDC, said she collaborated with Noor to bring SEAT to campus, aiming to bring students avenues to advocate amid political turbulence in the U.S.
“I think that the students are hungry to hear other people’s experiences with advocacy and with speaking out on sociopolitical issues that are going on,” Yildirim said.
SEAT and SASP are continuing to help organize and protect students’ right to freedom of speech through a flurry of student anti-ICE protests in San Antonio. A flier handed out at the end of the event promised more student action against ICE in the near future, and encouraged students to organize with the SASP.
