College students, local residents and a sprinkling of children voiced their dissent toward President Donald Trump's immigration ban on Saturday for two hours on the Prince Edward County courthouse’s front lawn.
Over 50 people carried signs supporting refugees and reopening the nation’s borders; some hoisted phrases such as “Love not fear” and “I thought you said all lives matter” in the air while the group rallied.
“Love Trumps hate,” chanted the crowd. “Love, not hate, makes America great!”
The demonstration occurred as a federal appeals court rejected a request to remove the temporary block on Trump’s Jan. 27 executive order by a Washington U.S. District Court. Longwood College Democrats and Hispanic Latino Association (HLA) organized the event in tandem with Friday evening’s solidarity march and vigil on Longwood’s campus.
Cheers sounded as College Democrats president Joe Hyman announced the judge's decision to reverse the revocation of 60,000 visas
— Halle Parker (@_thehalparker) February 4, 2017
“We planned the march more toward students, and we wanted something to be in Farmville because we wanted to involved the community since this is a world event,” said HLA President Brenda Pereira. “It was to bring both the students and the community together.”
The Rotunda's Halle Parker live in downtown Farmville at an anti-immigration ban rally. https://t.co/1kekbDdqMT
— Longwood Rotunda (@longwoodrotunda) February 4, 2017
Police officers from Farmville Police Department, Longwood University Police, Prince Edward Sheriff’s Office and Virginia State Police stood by along Main Street in front of the demonstration.
Bystanders stopped and watched the demonstration while cars honked and shouted their support or objections as they drove past.
According to Farmville Police Chief Andy Ellington, the group wasn’t required to apply for any permits because the court yard was a public space. He said the officers were there to protect the protesters and monitor the situation.
College Democrats President Joe Hyman and Pereira said they received a lot of support from the police department in planning the event. Hymen added that the American Civil Liberties Union advised the organizers on the event as well.
“We got permission. We worked hand-in-hand with the police department, and we got it all squared away,” said Hyman.
Pereira said there were rumors of a counter-protest in support of the ban potentially arriving during the 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. timeframe to share the courtyard space.
Around 1:30 p.m., a family of counter-protesters arrived, standing in the far corner of the space holding signs of their own. The smaller group carried their “Build that wall” signs peacefully as well.
Hyman said Longwood’s Office of Citizen Leadership and Social Justice Education (CLSJE) helped organize the event. The groups publicized the rally through Facebook, creating a “No hate. No fear. Refugees are welcome here!” event.
At the Longwood solidarity march and vigil, Pereira said they handed out buttons for people to pin in their backpacks to show unity as they walked through campus. Faculty and students marched on Brock Commons toward Ruffner Hall, gathering around the fountain with signs.
The two demonstrations were the first student-led protests of the spring semester; College Democrats and HLA worked with CLSJE and a few student organizations to organize a peace rally following Trump’s election in November.
The event is occurring less than 24 hours after #longwoodu students held their own solidarity vigil and march through campus. https://t.co/7CUtHwag9n
— Halle Parker (@_thehalparker) February 4, 2017
Feb. 6, 2017, 10:56 p.m. - The name of Longwood's College Democrats was previously misspelled as Joe Hymen. The correct spelling is Joe Hyman and the article has been changed.
