Hundreds of students gathered for a protest led by the FGCU student group Borders to Bridges in the campus’s student plaza on Friday, Feb. 6. The protest was held to show opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity and the 287(g) agreement signed by FGCU’s general counsel. 

“We are protesting the extrajudicial killings by ICE agents all across the country, mainly in Minneapolis right now,” said a student protester. 

Students congregated to express their fear and anger in response to the recent killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota as ICE uses increasingly aggressive tactics. 

The Trump Administration signed into effect the 287(g) agreements, which allow state and local law enforcement officers to work with the federal government to enforce federal immigration laws, giving them the same authority as ICE agents.

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“Its not the first time that students have made some change,” said organizer Maria Campos on whether she feels that FGCU would be receptive towards their wants.

In 2020, the Student/Farmworker Alliance held protests to ensure that FGCU would not associate with companies that had not joined the Fair Food Program. For Campos and other students, the protest was successful

The students’ protest on Friday was against FGCU’s participation in the 287(g) agreement.

“Our main objective is to push the Board of Trustees, President Timur and UPD to remove the agreement and instead create a safe space for immigrant students, faculty, or anybody that might be even studying abroad,” said Campos.

Protesters expressed fears and concerns about their safety on and around campus. 

“I fear every time I drive past an ICE officer,” said Dasani Acevedo, a student protester.

They did not stand alone. Other community members participated in the protest, aiming to make their voices heard as well. 

“[Students are] out here defending our country, without having to go to war,” said a protesting U.S. Air Force veteran.

The students chanted and held hand-drawn signs during the protest. Some read, “School is for education, not deportation,” “Prison without due process is a concentration camp,” “They blame immigrants so you won’t blame the billionaires,” “A nation of immigrants should not fear its own reflection,” and “Do the right thing, FGCU. End 287(g),” among others. 

Additionally, a counter protester who declined to be interviewed waved a flag depicting a digitally altered image of Good with a bullet hole on her forehead with the word “Headshot” printed across it. He circled the protesters while shouting derogatory remarks about immigrants, Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

“I fully support ICE and I believe what they do is a good thing,” said Ellie King, a counter-protester who said that she came here legally. 

King was asked about her stance on the 287(g) agreement and its signing. She said she was unaware of the agreement.

“I don’t really have much say in it, but I just know that I fully support ICE, and I believe that no one should be here illegally,” King said.

Other counter-protesters made their voices heard and weren’t separated from the main protest. The University Police Department monitored the activities and had minimal involvement in the majority of the protest. 

“They have the same right to be here as the protesters. If we see anything getting out of hand then we will step in,” said UPD Officer Anthony Garcia.

Soon after, the counterprotesters were moved back by the UPD after they repeatedly entered the main protest group. Overall, students were able to voice their opinions and are awaiting action from FGCU. 

“We all need to be together. Right now is the biggest time where it should be love instead of hate, instead of anger,”  organizer Yoselyn Montano said. “We’re so divided and that’s not how it should be.”