Over 500 students and community members marched from Old Main to Tempe Beach Park on Jan. 30 as part of a nationwide protest against United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
Students for Justice in Palestine at ASU was among a group of local organizations that promoted the walkout on social media. Flyers instructed protesters to meet at 10:30 a.m. outside of Old Main on Alumni Lawn.
The ASU Police Department posted to Instagram Thursday saying a protest was not authorized to be held on the lawn outside of Old Main because it was not "reserved as required." In the post, ASU PD said the information was relayed to the protest organizers, and the University's Student Services Lawn would be available instead.
Fences were put up surrounding Alumni Lawn on Thursday night and remained there for the entirety of the protest. ASU PD and campus security were present but were not engaging with protesters.
"Arizona State University routinely implements temporary safety measures, including the use of barriers, as part of ongoing efforts to support a safe, accessible campus environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors," a University spokesperson said in a written statement.
Protesters listened to various speakers standing on the steps of Old Main. They chanted and held posters with words and signs condemning ICE operations, the current U.S. presidential administration and school figures.
The crowd joined in chants including "F--- Michael Crow," "There is only one solution, revolution, revolution," and "Sí se puede."
Scarlett Chavez, a junior studying project management who has participated in similar protests in Arizona, said she feels personally connected to the cause as she is a second-generation American.
"What's happening in Minneapolis is absolutely terrifying and heartbreaking," Chavez said. "Since I have a privilege to stand up, I've decided to use my voice and show up for my community and my friends and that's why I'm here."
Members of the United Campus Workers of Arizona, a labor union representing faculty and staff at Arizona's public universities, were also in attendance.
"It really is this community that's standing together that gives us the power we need to fight back and to win rights for migrant workers, for all migrants and to keep all of our community members safe," Justine Hecht, an organizer and member of United Campus Workers of Arizona, said.
At 11:11 a.m., protesters began moving northbound toward East University Drive, walking on the street and sidewalks.
The Tempe Police Department was present at intersections but did not bar or block the protesters' path.
As the march turned eastbound down South Mill Avenue, police began telling protesters to move to the sidewalk or else they would be arrested.
The crowd stopped at Tempe Beach Park, where leaders continued speeches and chants, then turned back around down South Mill Avenue toward campus.
Pedestrians and employees from businesses along South Mill Avenue participated by cheering on protesters as they passed.
READ MORE: Students protest national ICE activity, Trump administration
Zarella Vasquez, a Valley teacher and ASU alumna, was passing out water and snacks to protesters walking by.
"Activism is my passion, and I really am trying to encourage the youth to continue doing that by giving out water snacks," Vasquez said. "Just really hyping them up and encouraging them to be out here because their voice is very important."
Vasquez said that as a Latina and a child of immigrants, it seems the idea of the American dream is disappearing.
"This country was built on the blood of people, and it continues to be built on the blood of people, and we'll continue to have to fight until someone listens," Vasquez said.
Tempe police started blocking the road and directing people to protest on the sidewalk. The march resumed on campus and ended on Hayden Lawn.
There were no arrests during the protest, according to a University spokesperson.
Organizers called for protesters to attend another protest at the Arizona Capitol later that day. By 2 p.m., some ASU students joined a crowd of over 1,000 protesters at the Capitol.
Demonstrators began walking east on West Jefferson Street about 20 minutes later, taking over the road as they marched into downtown Phoenix. They briefly turned to walk along North Central Avenue before turning back along West Van Buren Street.
The Phoenix Police Department stopped traffic at intersections, allowing protesters to march.
Sophia Griffin, a sophomore studying business, was one of the University students who moved from the protest in Tempe to the Capitol.
"Coming to the Capitol is a great way to show our governor and all the people who are working in office that we mean business," Griffin said.
Chloee Larsen, a freshman studying biological sciences, said the protest at the Capitol makes a stronger statement than the one in Tempe and shows that participants are focused on what's happening beyond just where they live.
"Yes, ASU did a great job, but it's progressing," saidAlex Thomas, a freshman studying business and marine biology "It's bigger than ASU, it's bigger than Tempe, it's bigger than Arizona. It's this whole country and we're under a war right now."
This story is developing and may be updated.
Edited by Jack McCarthy, Senna James, Sophia Braccio and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporters at galawre3@asu.edu, apruiz@asu.edu, msweador@asu.edu and coyer1@asu.edu and follow @andiruiz2405, @miasweador and @carstenoyer on X.
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Grace Lawrence is a reporter for the community culture desk at The Arizona State Press. This is her 1st semester working with The State Press.
Carsten Oyer is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication, as well as public service and public policy. This is his second semester with The State Press, having previously worked as a politics reporter.
Andi Ruiz is a politics reporter at the State Press dedicated to serving her community with truth and honesty in her reporting. She has been working in broadcast and news since high school and was recently an anchor at The Cut Network during her first year at Cronkite. She is going into her second year at ASU as a Barrett Honors student studying journalism and mass communication with a minor in political science.
