“The people, united, will never be divided,” rang aloud as Saint Mary’s students, faculty and staff as well as sisters of Holy Cross and South Bend residents marched on the College campus late Tuesday afternoon.
The protest, hosted by the club Belles Unite Borders, was advertised as a “March for Unity” and a demonstration of support for immigrants in the United States.
From last year’s lecture events, the club shifted its sights to push for more active initiatives on campus. When reflecting on the current political climate after a homily given on Feb. 8 from Fr. Bill Lies, who encouraged students to “walk in their faith and do something about it,” Belles Unite Borders president and junior Natalie Ortiz felt called to action.
By hosting a march, Ortiz saw the opportunity to bring the diverse community of Saint Mary’s together and hoped to make a bigger impact and change on campus.
“I want them all to know where this part of our campus stands, and that being a message of love and a message of hope and unity, because that is what we do,” Ortiz said. “That is what the core values are of Saint Mary’s. We need to respect everybody around us, and I feel like Saint Mary’s has been pretty good at that thus far. I think from this, I just want every community member to be inspired and actually be part of the change.”
Roughly 70 people were in attendance, holding up dozens of signs that included “All people are God’s people,” “Immigrants built America,” “No human is illegal” and “Good luck silencing the Belles of Saint Mary’s.” Just after 5 p.m. at the Spes Unica circle, community members lined up following a short prayer and welcoming remarks by Ortiz. The group then marched up Brother Andre Drive, crossed south and walked along SR 933 before turning a third time down The Avenue, shouting chants. The march ended on Le Mans Green.
Junior Lucy Vung Nu, an attendee of the march, said she wanted to express solidarity with other immigrants and refugees as a refugee herself from Myanmar.
“The benefits and the blessings that I’ve received here happened because of the fact that my parents decided that they wanted a better life for themselves and for me,” Vung Nu said. “This was a way for me to show who I am and a way to remind the nation of what they are, starting from a very small community such as South Bend and Saint Mary’s.”
Sharing in the sentiment of marching for a cause was Sister Verónica Fajardo. Having immigrated to the United States at the age of 8, Fajardo noted the importance of participating in activities that promote peaceful demonstrations of unity. The Sisters of the Holy Cross have different “corporate stands” iterating their public positions, one of them being on the rights of immigrants.
“In Catholic social teaching, we promote the dignity of every human person, and being able to cross borders basically working and helping each other. Because we know that that’s not going to help us to solve all our issues, but we can come together and be welcoming and helpful,” Fajardo said.
Marching alongside Ortiz and fellow Belles Unite Borders members, was student government president senior Ivory Munoz. Emphasizing the importance of unity and standing together despite different backgrounds, Munoz said, “I think right now, with the immigrant community under attack, it’s super important that we show students here who do come from an immigrant background that they are just as loved and supported as any other student on campus.”
Assistant director for justice and solidarity at the Center for Faith, Action and Ministry Sarah Neitz was also in attendance, both representing those in CFAM and as a supporter of immigrant rights. Neitz believes the march offered students the opportunity to take advantage of the “Saint Mary’s education” and put into practice what it means to express oneself as an empowered woman.
“You know the mission of this march is completely in line with Catholic social teaching on immigration. It’s an important part of our stances at Catholic university, and we’re excited to get to raise our voices on campus,” Neitz said.
Leonard Sanchez, professional specialist of social work and a faculty adviser for Belles Unite Borders, also credits the College as providing a space for professors to teach students “to advocate and to make their voices known, especially when there’s injustices presented upon themselves.”
“I think students are trying to answer the call that they’ve heard nationwide, and whether they want to be a part of something bigger than themselves, I think this is maybe a small component to it, but I think it just allows them to have that opportunity to show it to their community and be a part of that community,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez, alongside social work program director and coordinator of the gerontology program Kathryn Lynds, who also serves as a Belles Unite Borders faculty adviser, offered short speeches at the end of the march on the front steps of Le Mans Hall.
“As a social worker, our code of ethics asks us to be aware of injustices, advocate for human rights and advocate for that same justice. I believe this unity march is a strong symbol of those three actions standing in our social work code of ethics,” Sanchez said. “I believe peaceful events like this one can bring people to common ground, helping them to move forward and not live in fear.”
Lynds spoke after Sanchez, closing the march.
“What we offer in patience, we obtain in calm. When we listen to others, we receive empathy. What we extend in understanding, we get back in clarity. What we give in curiosity, we get back in amazing, expanded possibilities,” Lynds said. “Thank you so much for being here today, open to learning about the real reasons people seek asylum, making this world a better place, where people are treated with dignity and celebrated to remain wholly and fully in a modern day.”
