The People’s Defense Front and Student Committee for Defense and Solidarity (SCDS) held a march on Monday to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and in support of immigrants.

The protest drew around 40 people, some of whom took extra measures to conceal their identities with long sleeves, glasses, and masks. Others had no coverage and were seen recruiting bystanders on campus to the cause throughout the march.

The rally began around 7 p.m. when a speaker kicked off the protest with a series of chants condemning ICE and US imperialism.

A few minutes later, protesters unveiled a bright yellow banner that read “Defend immigrant workers and students. No ICE collaboration or recruitment on our campus!!”

Other banners were raised as well, mostly targeting President Donald Trump. Other politicians targeted included State College Mayor Ezra Nanes, Police Chief Joseph Merril, and State College Borough President Evan Myers. 

A student speaker opened around 20 minutes into the march, listing allies for the protesters’ cause. He also mentioned that it’s important to “understand who our enemy is so we can attack them.”

“ICE tears lives apart,” he said. “Students are forced to stop their studies and abruptly leave the country, infants are left without parents and grandparents, and workers are tortured before being sent to countries where they face political persecution. Admin continues to do nothing about it.”

The student continued by mentioning the State College Police Department and the Borough Council, which drew boos from the crowd.

The student then went into a story about a fellow activist who is currently being charged with assault on a police officer. Continuing to express his frustration towards the university, he urged that the time to fight back was now. He ended with criticizing ICE’s use of the State College airport.

Another student took the stage a little while after and called out Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi.

At 7:30 p.m., the protestors began their march from the Old Main steps. They first walked toward Pollock Road, toward the Willard Building.

As the sun set and the protestors turned toward the HUB, shouts of “Penn State students, give them hell,” rang out.

Once inside the HUB, two Penn State police officers noticed the group and began following the march. The two officers told Onward State that the group had the right to protest and that they remained bystanders.

After multiple chants in the HUB, the group returned to the Old Main steps. An organizer took the microphone again. One more speech against U.S. imperialism ended the protest.