SPOKANE, Wash. – On Friday, hundreds of Gonzaga University students and professors gathered on campus to protest against ICE deportations and to demand transparency from the university regarding its policies and procedures should ICE come to campus.
According to student organizer Kevin Pinkleman, the event was designed to connect GU students with the nationwide calls for change.
“We wanted to stand in solidarity with those immigrant communities and with the other people protesting,” Pinkleman said.
GU Law student Matt Hayes explained that he participated to denounce what he referred to as “violations of the rule of law.”
“We haven’t seen it hardcore here in Spokane, but obviously it’s happening in other places and it could be here at any time,” Hayes said.
The protest organizers told NonStop Local they were specifically calling for Gonzaga to establish a no ICE cooperation policy.
Gonzaga University gave NonStop Local the following statement:
“Gonzaga recognizes that peaceful campus demonstrations like the one held Friday regarding U.S. immigration policies and enforcement are an important way for students and other members of the university community to make their voices heard. Our Jesuit values and University Mission call upon us to seek justice, uphold the dignity of all persons and to build bridges of understanding that can lead to a more hopeful and peaceful future. They also call us to be people for and with others, and to seek justice. Demonstrations can be powerful opportunities for expression of ideas and catalysts for change, and we appreciate that Gonzaga students are dedicated to working toward a more peaceful future.”
According to Gonzaga’s undocumented student support webpage, the university will not release student immigration status information to the Department of Homeland Security unless legally compelled by a warrant, subpoena, or court order.
In 2024, Gonzaga released “A Message of Support for Undocumented Immigrant and International Student and Employees.“
Several students at the march told NonStop Local that they would continue to look for opportunities to participate.
After the march on campus, several students also held signs on the corner of Ruby and Sharp.
“This gives me a lot of hope,” Student Lalya Napple said. “You know, I think we can stand up to this and make some serious change.”
