MSJC student government led a peaceful anti-ICE protest on March 18, 2026. In response to why Dylan Collins, the Secretary for Student Equity and Cultural Affairs, was inspired to do the protest, she stated, “I wanted to do this protest. I feel we talk a lot about free speech, and we talk a lot about history. To me, it feels like history is repeating itself. I’m seeing voter rights be taken away at lightning speed. And then on top of it, not only have people been ripped away from their families and put in jail, but people have been murdered across the board. People are thinking this only affects one race of people, but they’re going to come for us all. This administration is breaking the law of our Constitution, and so, learning about the Constitution here at MSJC, I also learned what it says in the Constitution. Besides the things they’re not addressing, we have the right to protest. I’ve seen other schools, like high schools and middle schools, doing it, and so I thought I should bring this up as an agenda item. So we all came together. Everyone’s been extremely helpful, it’s not just me, it’s everybody, so I’m really glad.” 

The day started with posters, which the student government provided. There were pre-made ones, and supplies, so joining protesters could make some for themselves. There was also water and snacks provided. 

Before beginning the march, there were opportunities to make a speech about why people were here. Kaydence, a student at MSJC, stood up.“As of July 2024, as reported by the US Census Bureau, 64.4% of our population is Hispanic or Latino, which totals to around 35,751 people. Of that population, 27.6 percent are under 18 years old. Statistically, that means approximately 17.8 percent is a cross of both. That means that 9881 Hispanic children are at risk in our community/ That’s not even including Hemet, which has a population of 92912. A young boy, only five years old, named Liam Ramos, was abducted in Minneapolis. Who says that won’t be our children next? We cannot allow the lie of safety to disregard our Constitutional and human rights. Audrey Lord, a black feminist and Civil Rights Activist during WW2, stated, ‘I am not free while any woman is unfree, even while her shackles are very different from my own.’ There have been no reports of false citizenship in Hemet or San Jacinto, as reported by the FBI Crime Data Explorer. They also report that drug and narcotics violations in Hemet were only 31 percent of those that were Hispanic or Latino. So why have there been reports of ICE in our town? False or not, our citizens are living in fear. We need to fight for our rights. The rights of our loved ones, neighbors,  and communities. ‘First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then, they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.’ This was from Martin Nimolier, a German Pastor and survivor of the Holocaust. Do not let history repeat itself.”

Pastor Eddie Montoya was then invited to bless the students and the protest. Once he ended his prayer, the march began. Protesters fought for their voices to be heard despite the 100-degree weather, marching not only for themselves, but for the many people who are afraid to leave their homes to attend classes. The students here will not stand for that, and with the student body’s support, they showed that today. They took to the streets with several chants, such as “Show me what democracy looks like! This is what democracy looks like!”  “No ICE, no KKK, no Fascist USA!” “Say it loud, say it clear, we will not have any fear! Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE.” 

The peaceful protesters walked along the perimeter of the school, stopping along State Street to let their voices be heard by more people. There were cars honking in support of the cause. A citizen even stepped out of her car and delivered water bottles she happened to have in the back seat to show support for the message being spread. It did not go unappreciated. When the protest was done, the students circled back to the quad, and more speeches were made.

Student trustee Claudia Walukouw gave advice on how to ensure that bill SB98, also known as the SAFE Act, which has recently passed, actually gets pushed through and implemented by the school board. The SAFE Act is a bill signed in September 2025 that requires California public colleges and universities to alert the campus immediately as soon as ICE activity is confirmed on campus. It may seem like a small difference to do something individually, but what starts as individuality becomes a movement. Whether you are extremely passionate or someone who is passive in wanting to make a change, this is something accessible to everyone who can do it from their own homes. 

She explains, ”SB98is a bill that has passed, and the school does not have an active plan on how we can enforce that, or how we can implement that in the notification system we already have. That’s as of last month; maybe things have been moving since then. However, what you can do is let them know. Let them know that you want this in place, that this is now a bill that we have to follow per state policy. Where can you let them know? You can tell them at the board of trustees meeting that happens on the second Thursday of every month. If you cannot make it, email the student government association. Send in a statement. Tell them what you think, why you want this in place, and who you’re protecting. I know students who don’t want to come to class because they’re scared. I know students who are leaders in their clubs, their organizations, who have stepped down because they’re scared. I know students personally who wanted, with everything that they had, to be here today, to fight against the things that we are fighting for, but they are scared. Why are we letting students be scared?  We are here to better ourselves, we are here to get a better education, yes? We should not stand for the lack of planning that comes into the safety of our students. Let your leaders know. We’re SJ, we’re the ones helping to organize this. We want your voice. They think of us as parrots. We’re just saying this is what the students want, this is what we want. They hear from us every week, every day, every month. They want to hear from other students. Who are the other students? They’re not your classmates. They’re not people you meet in the cafeteria. It’s you. You are the students, you are the voice, you are here. You are here because you believe in something. Maybe you’re here because of the hype, and that’s fine, too. But you are still here, and you have a voice. And part of your power as a student is to let the leaders up there, sitting watching us through these cameras, let them know what you think. SB98 is a state policy now. Why are we not implementing it? Let them know. Board of trustees, student government, academic senate, faculty senate. Go find a meeting somewhere online; it’s listed on our website. Go find a meeting. There’s always a public comment space. Let them know. Tell them. My name is Claudia, and I’m your student trustee. I sit on the Board of Trustees. If you cannot make a meeting, and you want your voice heard, tell me. Let me know. You can write a statement. I will read it out loud. I will make sure that they listen. But the important part is that you say something. You step up. Do not leave it for other students. It’s you. The spotlight is on you. ”

MSJC students have spoken, and the student board has shown support. If you want to speak out, use your voice and make a difference. We can pave the way to a safer campus for all our fellow classmates and staff, one act at a time. Let’s make people feel comfortable coming to campus again.