Do you feel like Santa Clara has spaces for freedom of speech- for expressing freedom of free speech?
I do. I do think that Santa Clara does give those avenues. Especially with multicultural clubs if there鈥檚 race issues. There鈥檚 always discussions or talks especially if something catastrophic has happened. For example, when Trump was first elected there were many people that were scared of his presidency. And the MCC held a discussion for everyone that felt scared or threatened to talk and have that space. There's been a lot of flash mobs. Basically people go into different places walk through Benson, outside of Benson. People would congregate and talk about the issues that they were concerned about. I definitely think SCU has those spaces and we鈥檙e not too limited to what we could say.
For those flash mobs, how do they work?
They鈥檙e pretty random. I鈥檝e only been involved in one and it was a black lives matters movement. Basically, it was a group that met in the MCC and this had been going on for some time. I forgot the organization that it was associated with. It was Igwe and someone else but basically they walked into Benson and they yelled 鈥淏lack Lives Matter鈥 three times. We were all wearing black. And after that we just walked right out. No questions no conversations. We just walked straight out.
Was this planned far in advance?
It was planned a week in advance spread by word of mouth. Anyone that wanted to come could come.
How did [this group] make you feel?
I think it was something of a strong statement that that kind of group of people would want to walk into Benson and say that kind of thing. It just shows that they really aren鈥檛 afraid of much as long as we are working together.
How did it feel for you to participate?
It felt good because I do believe that a lot of people are being treated unfairly in that way. I felt that this is something nonviolent. I think it鈥檚 a powerful statement. I felt pretty good being involved in it.