GRAND VALLEY
A L L E N D A L E & G R A N D R A P I DS , M I C H I G A N ST U D E N T- R U N P U B L I C A T I O N S // P R I N T · O N L I N E · M O B I L E // L A N T H O R N . C O M
T H U R S D A Y, J A N U A RY 2 6 // VO L . 5 1 N O. 37
‘This is what a democracy looks like’ Millions gather worldwide to promote equal rights BY HANNAH LENTZ EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
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t’s estimated that one in every 100 Americans marched Saturday, Jan. 21, to protest the inauguration of President Donald Trump and promote the need for equal rights as part of the “Women’s March on Washington.” With marches on every continent, the march may go down in history as one of the largest forms of assemblies worldwide. Though the march was met with criticisms from several other social justice advocate groups who had concerns that minorities and other underrepresented communities were not the focus of the rally, it is estimated by the Women’s March on Washington movement that more than 5 million people participated worldwide. In an effort to be part of the change, several students from Grand Valley State University also made the trip to make their voices heard. Senior Leah McCombs traveled to Washington, D.C. with friends from GVSU and her hometown. Since all the buses in Michigan were already sold out, they decided to drive. Along the way, they saw acts of kindness and
hope that were also reflected in the march’s efforts McCombs said. “Every place we stopped along the way there were cars and buses of women, men and kids just like us driving to D.C.,” McCombs said. “Everyone was high-fiving and cheering at each stop.” Though McCombs said that the whole experience of participating in the march was hard to put into words, the movement was full of love, energy, affirmation and encouragement.
At the march, social justice advocates such as Angela Davis spoke to the crowd about women’s rights, racial equality and the idea of a nation of understanding and political change. The speaker list also included celebrities such as America Ferrera and Scarlett Johansson. “It’s not just action for women’s rights, but the rights for all,” McCombs said. “Rights for the LGBTQ community, the right to clean air,
education. In a society where social media rules, real action requires participation, not just sharing a picture or an opinion online.” The march also promoted the “10 Actions for the first 100 Days” campaign that focuses on a different form of protest and change that people can participate in for President Trump’s SEE MARCH | A2
WE ARE THE POPULAR VOTE: Thousands of women march as part of the Women’s March on Washington through the nation’s capital Saturday, Jan. 21. The march came less than 24 hours after Donald Trump was inaugurated as president and caught international attention, drawing an estimated 5 million people marching worldwide to promote equal rights for all groups in America. COURTESY | CHELSEA MICHALEC
VOLUNTEERISM
Spreading the warmth
BY EMILY DORAN NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
To help arriving refugees settle into West Michigan this winter, several Grand Valley State University departments and organizations have united to host the Welcoming Our
Neighbors Winter Gear Drive. Collection boxes will be stationed through Friday, Feb. 10, at various locations around the Allendale Campus, including the Community Service Learning Center (CSLC) in 1110 Kirkhof Center, the Niemeyer Learning and Living Center front desk and the Dean of Students Of-
fice in the Student Services Building. Needed items include coats, gloves, hats and boots, particularly in adult sizes. Donated items will be given to Bethany Christian Services (BCS). In 2016, more than 850 refugees settled in Grand Rapids, and BCS predicts roughly 420 more will arrive in 2017. Last year, the Kaufman Interfaith
SWEATER WEATHER: GVSU students gather clothing for the winter gear drive Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016. Items collected during the drive will go toward refugees who are settling into West Michigan with minimal belongings. COURTESY | CSLC OFFICE
Winter gear drive to benefit refugees in West Michigan institute, CSLC and Better Together, a GVSU interfaith group, collaborated to host their first winter gear drive in response to the Syrian refugee crisis. “Recognizing that it’s winter again, and our community is still seeing a steady influx of refugees, those same groups came together again said, ‘Let’s see if we can do this again but even bigger this year,’” said Melissa Baker-Boosamra, associate director of student life, civic engagement and assessment. “So, we reached out more broadly to other campus partners to get other cosponsors and attempt to have a broader reach.” This year, the winter gear drive is being sponsored by the Division of Student Services, the Division of Inclusion and Equity, the Division of Enrollment Development and student senate. Baker-Boosamra said the winter gear drive will serve to benefit refugees who oftentimes immigrate to the United States with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing. “They come with nothing,” she said. “Oftentimes, these are families
who are literally coming (with just) the clothes on their backs. (I) would like to say that we would like to get a coat for every one of those refugees.” Baker-Boosamra said another motivation for hosting the drive was to foster GVSU’s continued involvement with people of different faiths and backgrounds in the Grand Rapids community and to promote understanding between different people groups. “We’re seeing an increase in polarization, where, often, if you don’t look like me or speak the same language as I do or believe in the same religious faith, chances are we’re not going to have a chance to get to know one another,” Baker-Boosamra said. “We really see this as an opportunity to, as a campus community, make our broader West Michigan community a more welcoming place for all people. (This) is something tangible, albeit something small, (we) can all do to lend a hand.” Baker-Boosamra also said the SEE WARMTH | A2