UCSC students protest Trump victory

Following news that Donald Trump had won the presidency, several anti-Trump protests broke out at university campuses from New York to California. At U.C. Santa Cruz, students took to the streets Tuesday night to express their displeasure with the election’s outcome.

Wednesday morning, UCSC Chancellor George Blumenthal and Campus Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor Alison Galloway issued a statement asking for unity and understanding.

Here is the text of their message:

“Like many of you, we watched the presidential election results in astonishment. Many of us are struggling this morning to reconcile the outcome of the vote with the values we hold close.

More than 2,000 students marched peacefully across campus last night, expressing their shock and outrage. Many members of the campus community feel uneasy and perhaps unsafe in the wake of campaign rhetoric that targeted so many populations, including undocumented immigrants, Muslims, people of color, people with disabilities, women, and survivors of sexual assault.

It will take time to fully process this news. Feelings of disbelief, anxiety, and grief are real. If it’s any comfort, we are not alone; the shock waves are rippling across the country and around the world.

The question this morning is how we cope. This is a time to hold each other with respect, and dig deep to support one another. There will be time later for us to strategize how to respond to the challenges we as a university may face.

We are grateful for the UC Santa Cruz community, where dedicated staff and faculty are coming together to support students and one another. The link below provides highlights of some of the resources the campus is providing, including spaces today where we can debrief together on the election and the national climate that fostered this outcome.

Today, even more than yesterday, we must continue the difficult conversations, find our voices, listen conscientiously to different viewpoints, and find a way to move forward together, united by our commitment to inclusivity, equality, and compassion.

If you need support, please reach out. We are providing a range of resources and sharing messages from other campus leaders here.”

Tonight at 5 and 6, KION’s Brandon Castillo talks to students and university officials about the protests and future plans.