Student Protest in Response To Trump’s DEI Executive Orders

On Feb. 8, St. Lawrence University Democrats held a protest against President Trump’s recent executive orders surrounding LGBTQ+ individuals, such as federally recognizing the two sexes, male and female, removing pronouns for federal workers and banning transgender-identifying citizens from serving in the military. 

A group of roughly 40 students, faculty and community members marched around St. Lawrence campus and Canton Village Park. “We wanted to go after the anti-LBGTQ+ rhetoric and give a platform for people to come out who were upset with this the most,” said Stephen Austin ‘28, current SLU Dems President. “That’s why we reached out to groups like SLU SJP and others,” Austin said.  

“It’s personal to me because I have friends who are a part of the LBGTQ+ community, so it spoke to me as an issue that would be relevant on campus,” said Steven Burchell, SLU Dems vice president. The protest follows similar ones in the area, such as the Potsdam Peoples March held on Jan. 18.  

“To see so much support, especially from such as red area as Canton, it really lifted our spirits,” said Burchell. The protest comes at a time when many LGBTQ+ individuals feel uncertain about the future and even fear for their safety. “We are already seeing LGBTQ+ rights and protections being rolled back, so many people are scared for the future,” Burchell said.  

However, SLU Dems felt they could safely protest here thanks to campus and local security. “Honestly, huge shoutout to (Canton PD and Head of Security) Pat Gagnon,” Burchell said. “Our district at times can have a bad reputation and I know some people were worried, but overall, I would say people felt safe,” Austin said.   

“Even at this protest, we saw that some people were worried to come out because it might affect their [lives],” Austin said. “No matter what side you are on, I think we can all agree that something is wrong when people feel they can’t even come out and demonstrate what they believe,” Austin said.  

Trump’s executive orders have drawn significant controversy not just for their content but the extensive use of such orders by the president, raising questions about the limit of executive power. “Pretty much anyone from a marginalized group is worried. I’m young but, we are seeing things we’ve never seen before,” said Austin.  

SLU Dems wants to remain active and continue to protest Trump’s policies. “I’m very interested in doing something involving the issue of Palestine protests on campus, since Trumps signed an executive order deporting non-citizens who protest “in support of Hamas” on college campuses, which is a huge grey area,” Burchell said.  

SLU Dems also had the help of local activist and Party for Socialism and Liberation party member McKay Burley, who helped to spread the word of this event to locals. However, SLU Dems acknowledged the difficulty in trying to rally groups who feel targeted and unsafe. “It’s definitely concerning when your target demographic doesn’t feel safe to come out,” Austin said. 

Austin and Burchell hope these community connections can facilitate broader community action and unity amongst those who feel targeted by the new administration. “I think with this larger threat, a lot of the left has begun to really unify, and I hope we can come together to voice our opposition to the direction this administration is going,” Austin said.