The College of the Sequoias’ student club MEChA organized a protest on Friday, February 28th, marching down Mooney Boulevard from the college campus to Target at 3 p.m. The protest targeted unconstitutional acts by current U.S. administrative policies, with chants and signs amplifying calls for marginalized communities’ rights.
Protestors criticized the Trump and Musk administrations, citing systemic oppression against immigrants and global communities, including those in Palestine, Haiti, Sudan, DR Congo, and Mexico. Koki Ramirez, M.E.C.h.A’s President and Internal Co-Chair, framed the event as a collective effort to “invest time and effort to speak out” for families who “sacrificed everything” to build futures in the U.S.
“In a country that promotes growth, it’s strange how closed off it is to criticism,” Ramirez stated, emphasizing that legality does not equate to morality. “We have the power and responsibility to hold our government accountable. If we don’t, oppression will worsen.”
The protest drew a smaller, but determined crowd, with participant Yocelyn Torres seeing a light no matter how small. “Regardless of if it’s a big or small group, we’re making a difference. We’re letting our voices be heard; we’re showing them, ‘I’m here, I’m gonna call you out.’ ” Torres continues, “Whether it’s one person or many, being present and disruptive matters. Neutrality equals complicity.” Signs and chants centered on “Power to the people” and solidarity with minorities.
The organizers called the protest a success and planned more events to help people speak up in an area where they say free speech is needed, but often silenced.
