At the start of the rally, demonstrators, one of which held a megaphone, chanted “What do we want? Hanlon’s response. When do we want it? Now.” They also held signs demanding that the response be “point by point.” Various students involved in the creation of the Freedom Budget subsequently delivered speeches to the protestors and onlookers and led a march around the Green and Baker-Berry Library. When the march was completed, protesters joined in song and then dispersed around 4:30 P.M.
During the protest, a DOSS investigator and DOSS Chief, Harry Kinne, stood in front of the entrance to Parkhurst at various points. Occupiers remaining in President Hanlon’s office also chanted in solidarity with protesters outside.
When asked why they were in attendance today, one anonymous bystander said, “I wanted to know how many people would show up.”
Another said, “I wanted to show my support. I have mixed feelings about the way the group is going about it, but I do support their end goal. A lot of it is spot on, but there are some places where it is just not feasible.”
These sentiments and others were widely echoed among the majority of students in attendance. The protestors were often praised for their commitment, but criticized for their methods, which some thought to be overly harsh.
Protestors march around the Green.
Odon Orzsik, ’17 echoed this, saying, “I admire that some people are sticking up for a cause, even though I don’t quite understand [it] – I haven’t personally experienced white male patriarchy.” Mr. Orzsik, an international student, went on to say, “I don’t think [the protest] is a productive way to further their goals.”
These words seemed to resonate with Maieda Janjua, another international student from the class of ’17. “I thought they were rude to President Hanlon. They could have been more respectful,” she said in an interview with The Review.
She then addressed what some would call the prevalent issue of the Freedom Budget, the use of race as a criterion for the hiring of professors and admissions: “I think race is the wrong criteria to bring in professors. It undermines academic value.”
Mr. Orzsik argeed with Miss. Janjua, further stating, “We want to ensure race and sexual orientation do not keep you out, but they shouldn’t get you in, either.”
Professors repeatedly though politely refused to comment on their views, while administration officials were not willing to go on the record with any further information. Supporters of the Freedom Budget took pride in the turnout, and, though one anonymous sympathizer said, “I am concerned that this movement alienates a lot of white students who may be sympathetic to their views.”
The Review will continue to cover the story as new information becomes available.
— The Review Staff
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