CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH
VOL. LXVIII, ISSUE 88 | APRIL 11, 2017
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series of recent international events have left the security, reputation and safety of particular marginalized groups threatened. Students have become more active in understanding their rights. Additionally, campus organizations are hosting panel discussions regarding topics such as immigration, Islamaphobia and transphobia.
Fear is fueling students to join progressive political movements in Long Beach Shocked by deportations, students look for answers and take action. By Chrystina Schwartz Video Editor
A surge in immigration raids throughout California, especially in cities like Los Angeles, has many Long Beach residents politically involved for the first time. A deep far-left leaning political wave of resistance to immigration sweeps has resulted in large protests in downtown Los Angeles and other major cities, but has also created a flurry of people joining political groups and grassroots coalitions. Cal State Long Beach College Democrats say they have noticed that after the election, a significant number of new people attended meetings and engaged in
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discussions. Gabriel Montoya, Vice President of the CSULB College Democrats, describes many students just looking for basic answers about the political process. “I think many students were very, very surprised by [Donald] Trump’s victory and are looking for answers as to how this happened and what’s going on,” Montoya said. Montoya is a senior economics and sociology double major and was recently elected to Vice President of CSULB College Democrats. He reflected on his earlier days in the organization, attending meetings where there were only 10 or so people. Now, he said there can be up to 40 students attending meetings. Jeanette Ramirez, a senior environmental science and policy major is the Treasurer of CSULB College Democrats. “We’re really working on teaching people the ba-
see ICE, page 3
CSULB students discuss restoring a ‘divided’ nation
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Graphic illustration by Stephanie Hak
Controversial topics were tackled at the “Speak Your Peace” event on campus. By Ammi Ruiz Staff Writer
“Attack ideas, not people” was a common expression reiterated by organizers of Monday night’s “Speak Your Peace” event hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Students entered the University Student Union ballrooms at Cal State Long Beach around 5 p.m.,
where they were provided with food and refreshments before diving into discussions about Islamophobia, immigration, transphobia and activism. The attendees were engrossed in roundtable conversations, which were each led by a topic facilitator. Staff members were also in attendance, including communication studies professor James Sauceda and director of the University Art Museum, Kimberli Meyer. This was the second “Speak Your Peace” event hosted by OMA in association with Beach Pride
see DIVIDE, page 3