Perla Cortez EDINBURG – Two UTRGV students gathered and organized a walkout to advocate for human rights against ICE after the fatal shootings surrounding federal forces in Minneapolis.
Austin Garza, Brownsville education senior and Diego Alejo Edinburg philosophy junior organized the “Be The Hero” walk out for the Edinburg and Brownsville UTRGV campuses.
Prior to the creation of the walkout, both students met through a social media story post by Alejo on Instagram, expressing the need for a protest after the Minneapolis shootings.
Austin said the deaths of two U.S. citizens was more than enough to push them to speak out against ICE.
“After the death of Renee Goode and Alex Pretti, it seemed very important to finally say something,” Garza said. “Especially since we do live down here close to the border. Especially now that they are, you know, arresting American citizens and willing to, you know, trample on the rights.”
The organizers collaborated with the UTRGV chapter of Young Democratic Socialist of America for resources.
Garza said the name, “Be The Hero,” stuck after a drawn graphic by artist Raymar Brunson was shared on social media.
They said the image inspired the name because they believe people should be heroes and stand up to use one’s voice for advocacy.
“It’s getting ridiculous out there that we basically have super villains, you know, roaming the streets, picking up people in their cars, you know, shooting people in the face,” Garza said. “The main goal of the protest is to not only show how tight knit we are as a community, but also to show how well informed we are as students that we are keeping up with what’s going on.”
The walkout is set for Feb. 2 at noon near the Edinburg Liberal Arts Building North on the Bronc Trail for the Edinburg campus and outside the BMAIN Building for Brownsville.
Alejo shared the date was chosen to symbolize a treaty from 178-years ago.
“The Treaty of Guadalupe Hildalgo was signed on Feb.2 , all this would have been Mexican land and it was signed only because America thought they could run it better.” Alejo said. “I don’t feel like we’re getting run better. So, I really feel like having it on that day, like it was just perfect.”
Alexis Uscanga, president of the UTRGV College Republicans and current president for the Turning Point USA UTRGV Chapter, said although the fatal shootings in Minneapolis could have been avoided, he still supported ICE and federal agents.
“I still stand with ICE enforcement in general, securing not just our borders, but securing our homeland. And I believe there should be accountability and many ways so that we can prevent killings like the ones that happened in Minneapolis,” Uscanga said.
KVAQ-TV reached out to UTRGV YDSA and RGV College Democrats for a comment but were unable to receive anything.
