Dozens of students at George Washington University marched Thursday evening demanding the school become a “sanctuary campus,” while National Guard troops patrolled the grounds. The protest, led by the Socialist Action Initiative, included chants and signs opposing cooperation with immigration authorities and President Trump’s administration.
The demonstrators called on university president Ellen Granberg to take six actions, including barring federal law enforcement from campus, protecting students from deportation, and providing legal and financial aid to those affected. They also demanded expanded influence in university decision-making and more outreach to local public schools.
This demonstration followed reports of an increased National Guard presence on campus. Students described uniformed troops inside buildings and outside dorms. GW administration said it did not request the military presence and stated that outside law enforcement may not enter secure university areas without a warrant or emergency.
The call for a “sanctuary campus” signals a broader ideological push on college campuses to resist federal law enforcement and immigration policies.
