LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Students at public university campuses across Kentucky demonstrated in coordinated statewide protests.
It was called “Kentucky Day of DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion).” Protests were scheduled at the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University and Murray State University.
MaCalyn Hadley, 22, wanted to make their voice heard.
“Because I feel like my voice matters, just like every other voice at this protest. I feel like, as a marginalized person in whatever communities I may be a part of, I feel like my voice matters, because my rights matter, my appearance matters, literally everything about me matters,” Hadley explained.
Protests were scheduled at the University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University and Murray State University.
“Because if I don’t speak up, then who else is going to speak up? I can’t expect everybody else to do the work. I need to get out there and do it first or just do it in general,” said Hadley.
Savannah Dowell is outreach director for the Student Coalition for DEI at UofL.
“To stand up for DEI programs and policies. Demand that our administrators lobby for us in Frankfort against House Bill 4 and two universities.. the University of Kentucky and Northern Kentucky University, who have already abolished their DEI offices reinstate them and protect their students, staff and faculty and provide those much-needed resources.” Dowell said.
Students wrote postcards to state lawmakers protesting Kentucky Senate Bill 164 and House Bill 4.
Dowell explained some of the legislation, saying “House Bill 4, it specifically seeks to abolish all DEI offices and DEI-adjacent positions by January 30th. It prohibits the Council on post-secondary education from approving any new programs or certificates that include ‘discriminatory concepts’ which is ill-defined.”
Giovanna Farrs’ sign said in part, “Diversity is our strength.”
In her eyes, it matters why she and many others protested.
“My why is because I want to be the voice for people that feel like their voices aren’t heard. I just want to standup for what’s right,” Farris explained.
Dowell said all the statewide protests at public university campuses ended with a call of action to go to Frankfort next week to attend the House post-secondary education committee meeting, which she says is on Tuesday, March 4. As well as the Senate Education Committee meeting, which according to Dowell is on Thursday, March 6.
