Unity March participants show support for international members of Michigan Tech community affected by travel ban executive order

Videos and photos by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now

Carrying signs and flags participants in Michigan Tech's Feb. 9, 2017, Unity March demonstrate their solidarity with international faculty, students, staff and families affected by Donald Trump's Jan. 27 Executive Order 13769. Some marchers wear a white article of clothing as a sign of peace. (Photos by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON -- Undaunted by frigid temperatures, wind and snow on Feb. 9, 2017, about 300 people joined together at Michigan Tech for a Unity March to show support for friends, professors, students, neighbors, and colleagues from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Yemen. They marched in solidarity with Academics United rallies around the country in opposition to Donald Trump's Executive Order 13769, issued on Jan. 27, 2017 -- a travel ban against immigrants and visitors from these seven Muslim majority countries.

Participants first gathered at the Husky statue on campus, where Michigan Tech President Glenn Mroz addressed them with words of welcome and encouragement.

Gathered in the center of campus, Unity March participants listen to a welcoming talk by Michigan Tech President Glenn Mroz.

"This is not a protest; this is a celebration," Mroz said. "It's a celebration and a support of the things that we value."

Michigan Tech University President Glenn Mroz greets faculty, students, staff and community members gathered for a Unity March to show support for international faculty, students, staff and families affected by Donald Trump's Executive Order 13769 against immigrants and visitors from 7 countries. Click on YouTube icon for larger video size. (Videos by Allan Baker for Keweenaw Now)

Stephanie Tubman, geoscientist and former Peace Corps volunteer, who introduced President Mroz, noted the importance of carrying the flag in the march.

"Today we carry these flags as a reminder that this country should be for all of us, that immigrants have long contributed to the Copper Country and to our country in general, and that we believe that opportunity for all is a fundamental value of the United States," Tubman said.

Following the welcome from President Mroz, Scott Marratto, Michigan Tech assistant professor of philosophy, spoke about the diversity in the campus community and the need for universities to stand up for democratic, secular values that make that diversity and openness possible.

Scott Marratto, Michigan Tech assistant professor of philosophy, speaks about the important role of universities in supporting diversity and values of truth, openness, tolerance and non-discrimination. Erika Vye, recent Ph.D. graduate in geology, leads the participants in singing "This Land is Your Land," as they begin the march.

Setting out two-by-two, the marchers walked across campus and down College Ave. on the sidewalk to the miner's statue near the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce,

Marchers walk peacefully in a very long line from campus down College Avenue toward downtown Houghton.

After arriving at the miner's statue, marchers return to campus via College Avenue. Passing cars honk in support. Enjoying the snow, several children accompany their parents in the march.

Mojtaba, an international graduate student at Michigan Tech, participated in the march.

"It was not a protest -- just a peaceful march supporting international students and faculty and the value they bring to the community," Mojtaba said. "Enforcement of the order nationwide was temporarily halted by court order, but the news talks about a new ban that will be signed by President Trump on Thursday, instilling incredible fear in all of us."

Sue Ellen Kingsley of Hancock also commented on the march.

"It was gratifying to see the large number of people that showed up in spite of the bitter cold," Kingsley said. "I'm so glad to see how many of us, including the university administration, favor the diversity of our community and commit to defending it."

Michigan Tech has signed a letter the American Council on Education (ACE) circulated to  US higher education institutions regarding the recent executive order on immigration.

The letter is addressed to US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kelly. The body of the letter expresses US higher education’s principles concerning international students, researchers, faculty and staff.

Michigan Tech has launched a new web site regarding President Trump's Executive Order. Click here to visit the site.

CommUNITY march to support those affected by Executive Order on travel, visas to be Feb. 9 in Houghton

HOUGHTON -- In solidarity with Academics United rallies around the country, a march in support of friends, professors, students, neighbors, and colleagues from Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen affected by the Jan 27 executive order will be held from 5:05 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9, in Houghton.

The march will start at the Husky Statue, Michigan Tech Campus Quad, at 5:05 p.m. After welcome remarks participants will walk down College Ave. to the miner's statue/Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, where they will loop around and walk two-by-two back to the MUB (Memorial Union Building on campus). When necessary marchers will walk single file to accommodate pedestrians on College Ave. The march will end with a call to action outside the MUB.

The Jan 27 Executive Order (EO) impacts dozens of Michigan Tech graduate students, faculty, and community members in Houghton/Hancock area. Most of those affected are from Iran and some from Syria and Iraq. Those affected face great uncertainty. Some faculty have lived in Houghton for more than a decade and their children are US citizens. All who wish to support them and to make visible the impacts of the EO on our community members are welcome to join the march. The march is the kick-off for a series of actions to respond to the EO.

Participants who wish to bring a sign are asked to make their messages positive. Due to the Michigan Tech international community's desire to reach out to the entire Houghton community, this is a march in support of people rather than a march against the ban. Some sign ideas:

CommUNITY
I'm here for my [...neighbors/professor/students/friends]
I'm an immigrant, too [with flag from your country or your ancestor's countries]
Academics and Community United
I support our faculty and students
I support academics

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion at Hamar House on campus will be open all day on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with poster supplies. Poster-making could be a great activity for families after touring the Winter Carnival statues. Hamar House is right there on campus in between Fisher and the broomball rinks.

White is the color for the march. If possible, please wear a white hat, scarf, or coat or carry a white article of clothing to wave during the march. We all look to a peaceful future.

The organizers of the march are a group of students, staff, and community members, including those who are directly affected by the EO and those who want to show their solidarity. Contact Sara Alian salian@mtu.edu and Aref Majdara amajdara@mtu.edu for more information.