Over 20 people rallied in Washington Square Park on Monday to demand that the university publicly condemn the NYU College Republicans for organizing an on-campus panel featuring three far-right influencers, one of whom requested “armed security” at the event.

The rally, held by NYU’s chapter of Students for a Democratic Society, began with demonstrators chanting “We don’t want no racist here” and “Down with deportation” while holding a sign that read “NO COMPLIANCE WITH TRUMP’S VIOLENCE” in Garibaldi Plaza. The group then marched around the park, turned on Mercer Street to march past the Paulson Center and concluded the protest outside the Kimmel Center for University Life. 

In an interview with WSN, SDS member Caleb Levy said the university’s statement announcing that the panel was cancelled due to “threatening developments” failed to hold the College Republicans accountable. Levy said that in order to better protect its international students and faculty, NYU should specifically address the club’s invitation to speakers who openly champion white supremacy.

“We’re here to make clear that the students do not stand by this and that the students are not just going to be quiet over this,” Levy said. “In the event that NYU continues to not acknowledge us, we’re going to continue to be active, because at the end of the day, the administration is supposed to keep us safe.”

Two members of the College Republicans intervened in the first part of the rally by recording participants and conducting a mock TV interview about the demonstration. SDS members and members of the New York Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, who joined students at the rally, blocked the cameras with a keffiyeh and an umbrella. Police officers eventually interjected after SDS members sought assistance, and the College Republicans dispersed when demonstrators began marching. 

The panel, slated for last Thursday, was titled “Immigrant Invasion” and subheaded “You don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” Shortly after it was announced, SDS circulated a petition demanding that NYU administrators axe the “white supremacist, xenophobic” event. Less than 24 hours later, the university announced the panel’s cancellation.

“It’s always upsetting when people feel like they can be hateful in public,” Levy said. “Especially in a college community where so many of our community members who are marginalized might be put at risk.”

Amilcar Javier — alumni adviser of NYU’s chapter of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity Incorporated, who spoke at the rally — said that the College Republicans’ recent action reminded him of when the organization held a “Find the Illegal Immigrant” game in 2007. At the game, the College Republicans issued monetary awards to participants who found members holding “illegal immigrant” signs while hiding in Washington Square Park. 

The game immediately drew hundreds of protesters who called it racist and insensitive. Javier said he was glad that both the game and last week’s panel saw widespread dissent from the NYU community.

“It’s terrifying,” Javier said. “But there were activists who created a safe space for students of color in contrast to the College Republicans. I find that inspiring knowing that even so many years later there are so many students who are willing to fight back.”

After the immigration panel was canceled, featured guests said they would hold the conversation in a new venue the next day. In an Instagram post, panelist Lucian Wintrich called the College Republicans president a “spineless” person who was “displaying disgraceful weakness under mild pressure.” Elijah Schaffer, another one of the panelists, also posted a picture of him standing outside of the NYU Bookstore and said he will continue to seek legal action against NYU’s publicized statement.

NYU did not address the prospect of a rescheduled event. Its cancellation came the day after President Linda Mills revealed in an email that some community members had been affected by national efforts to revoke student visas.

“It’s not super uncommon for NYU admin to try to delay and ignore,” CAS student and SDS member Jude Finkelberg told WSN. “It’s very hypocritical but very in-line with past NYU administrative actions, so we’re just going to continue to pressure.”

Contact Amanda Chen at [email protected].