“No Ban No Wall” rally responds to recent executive orders
By Matthew Levine ’17
Salve Regina students Marrissa Ballard ’17 and Skyla Hudson ’18 have organized a rally in response to the recent executive order barring admission to the United States for people from specific countries, as well as other executive orders.
The rally will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 in the DiStefano Lecture Hall.
President Donald Trump’s order, which has been challenged in federal courts, bars people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the U.S. for 90 days, all refugees for 120 days and Syrian refugees indefinitely.
“I wanted to have the rally because I wanted there to be some sort of conversation here on campus,” Ballard said. “For me, one of the most important things about Salve is our mercy mission, and one of the critical concerns is immigration. So as a mercy institution, I think it’s our responsibility to speak on these things.”
Speakers at the rally will include President Jane Gerety, RSM; Dr. Sami Nassim, director of multicultural programs and retention; Erin FitzGerald, director of international programs; Dr. Jordan Miller, adjunct faculty member; and students Malysa Kettavong ’18, Blanca Guzman ’18 and Araz Khajarian ’18.
“I think it’s important for students to use their voice about things that are happening in this country,” Ballard said. “I hope it inspires people to fight and use their voices.”
Signs are welcome and students are encouraged to bring friends and roommates.
