Protesters march with signs in hand during the “Para la Raza” march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Distress and concern about the immigrant community among students and faculty staff, whether Latino or of other ethnicities, were the feelings expressed by the nearly one hundred protesters who gathered Thursday evening outside the Hannah Administration Building on the Michigan State University campus to protest and march against the deportation of immigrants.
The “Para la Raza” march was organized by the student organization Cultura de las Razas Unidas, or CRU.
“‘Stay away from ICE and let them do their job’ is what the MSU administration tells our professors, which is nonsense. Aren’t they going to protect their students or staff? The people who bring value and pride to this community. That’s wrong, and that’s why I’m here,” said Eli Folts, a Social Relations and Policy student.
As the protesters arrived, CRU members began a speech before the march began.
“Today, we march for our families, for our friends, for our community members who live in uncertainty, who face barriers, and who choose to persevere despite the odds. We march because no one should live in fear regardless of their immigrant status,” said Nechelle Calderon, 22, marketing student and president of CRU. “We march because this country was built by immigrants, and yet too often, their contributions are met with exclusion rather than appreciation.”
Nechelle Calderon, 22, CRU president, gives her speech to the public before the march started at the Hannah Administration Building. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Shortly before 6 p.m., the march began through the streets of the university campus along a route previously planned by the organizers. Students and community members carried posters with messages written in English and Spanish in support of the immigrant community throughout the march. Messages such as “Aquí estamos, aquí nos quedamos,” which in Spanish means “Here we are, here we stay” and “The wall must fall.”
Chants like “El pueblo unido jamás será vencido” (“The people united will never be defeated” in Spanish) were heard along the route, which had its first stop at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations, where water was provided for the protesters.
Many students expressed their concern over the lack of consistent action from MSU authorities, who, for many of them, show support through words but not through actions. This creates an atmosphere of uncertainty, compounded by the various cases of racial harassment on campus, which, according to many, have increased during the 2024-2025 period and have resulted in no punishments or consequences.
The “Para la Raza” march begins from the Hannah Administration Building through the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
“I think more can definitely be done, as right now there isn’t much, and there are resources that could be directed toward immigrant and minority communities. I’d like to see the administration do more,” said Calderon. “There are some resources for us as Latinos and immigrant students that we can find, for sure, but I wish there could be more, especially in these uncertain times.”
Some of the grad students who participated in the march also expressed their concern.
“Now, on campus, I feel that people are becoming bolder in telling not only Latinos but also other immigrant students and children of immigrants to go back to their countries,” mentioned Leeslie Herrera, 22, a master’s student of Science in Cybercrime and Digital Investigations.“And I feel that the administration just gives excuses and statements, but they are just words without results.”
Members of Cultura de las Razas Unidas (CRU) speak to the public before the “Para la Raza” march started at the Hannah Administration Building. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters gather at the Hannah Administration Building for the “Para la Raza” march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
The “Para la Raza” march begins from the Hannah Administration Building through the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
The “Para la Raza” march begins from the Hannah Administration Building through the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
The “Para la Raza” march begins from the Hannah Administration Building through the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Dozens of protesters carrying signs supporting the immigrant community march through the streets of the MSU campus in the “Para la Raza” march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Dozens of protesters enter the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations as the first stop on the march route. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
A protester holds her sign, written on her phone. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters listen to speeches at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations before resuming the march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters listen and applaud the speeches at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations before resuming the march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
CRU members address the public about the importance of the immigrant community and the current situation at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations before resuming the march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
A protester holds her sign at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations before resuming the “Para la Raza” march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters hold their signs at the School of Human Resources & Labor Relations before resuming the “Para la Raza” march. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters march with signs in hand during the “Para la Raza” march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters march with signs in hand during the “Para la Raza” march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters march, chanting and carrying signs, during the “Para la Raza” march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters march, chanting and carrying signs, during the “Para la Raza” march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters march, chanting and carrying signs, during the “Para la Raza” march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Reflection from bus windows of protesters marching during the “Para la Raza” march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters gather at the International Center, the final location of the protest, to begin an open mic session. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters gather at the International Center, the final location of the protest, to begin an open mic session. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters gather at the International Center, the final location of the protest, to begin an open mic session. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters march with signs in hand during the “Para la Raza” march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
Protesters march with signs in hand during the “Para la Raza” march through the streets of the MSU campus. March 13, 2025. Photo by Erick Diaz Veliz.
