By: Nick Desideri

On March 11, the University of Illinois at Chicago Stop Trump – Chicago Coalition marched and rallied prior to Republican front-runner Donald Trump’s speech at the UIC Pavilion. The group, which is unaffiliated with any political party or elected official, represents the voice of UIC students. By protesting, the coalition highlighted how Trump’s dangerous rhetoric hurts them, their families, and their communities.

“Donald Trump’s rhetoric incites hatred,” said UIC student Juan Rojas, one of the organizers of the protest. “We’re standing up and showing him UIC and Chicago reject his bigotry.” The protest started on the UIC Quad with a speaking program of student leaders. Led by students holding a banner reading “Trump makes America hate, our students make America great,” the hundreds of participants then marched on Harrison Street past the UIC Pavilion. UIC students place great importance on diversity, but Trump represents a threat to those values. This protest showed that his divisiveness has no precedent or place on their campus.