Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Students rally for sanctuary colleges
Protesters decry Dinniman’s support for bill that would cut funding for sanctuary universities
WEST CHESTER>> A dozen demonstrators opposed to state Sen. Andy Dinniman’s stance on sanctuary universities peacefully protested outside his local office at 1 N. Church St., Monday.
Demonstrators from several area colleges demanded that Dinniman, D-19, reverse his position on SB 273, a bill that would cut funding to school’s officially declaring themselves sanctuary universities and colleges. The event was organized by the Pennsylvania Student Power Network.
Like sanctuary cities, sanctuary colleges and universities would protect undocumented students and staffers.
Students chanted slogans like, “Say it loud, say it clear, immigrants are welcome here.”
They waved signs that read “Democrats don’t get a free pass,” and “Have you experienced the Dinniman (In) Dif-
ference??”
“It is unacceptable that Dinniman voted in favor of the racist, xenophobic Trump agenda,” said Jamie Berg, a WCU junior majoring in women’s and gender studies. “I’m a little bit worried that he’s taken this position. If he starts acting like a Republican, we’ll let him know.”
Thirty minutes prior to the rally, Dinniman said he listens to constituents and doesn’t necessarily follow the party line.
“I’m not elected to follow the doctrine of a political party,” he said. “I’m elected to represent the citizens of my district and take the right action — to respect the law — and not those who openly break the law.”
University of Pennsylvania and Swarthmore College are the only two Pennsylvania colleges that have declared sanctuary college status, Dinniman said.
Demonstrator Aiden Castellanos, a University of Pennsylvania student, said some of her family members are undocumented immigrants.
“This is some of the harshest anti-immigrant rhetoric in the Pennsylvania Legislature,” she said. “We’re really discouraged and ashamed that (Dinniman) made this decision.”
Meztli Cardoso is a Temple University student.
“I’m going to stand up for them until they are all liberated,” she said about undocumented immigrants.
A half-hour before the rally, Dinniman said he had taken an oath to uphold the law.
The former WCU professor maintains that Swarthmore and Penn are breaking the law.
“How do we justify giving money to universities that openly state they are not going to follow the law?” Dinniman asked. “If you want to openly defy the law, then take some consequences. Don’t expect the same government that makes the laws to give you tax money.”
WCU President Chris Fiorentino said the university will not seek sanctuary status.
“As public institutions, West Chester University and the other 13 universities within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) are required to follow all state and federal laws,” Fiorentino said. “As such, West Chester University will not and cannot act in violation of any laws. I believe that there are steps that we can take within the law to help students feel safe and supported on campus.”
Dinniman did say that he favors the Pennsylvania Dream Act, which would allow Pennsylvania students to pay Pennsylvania in-state tuition rates, regardless of their immigration status.
“One doesn’t break the law, one works to change the law,” Dinniman said. “If a youngster was brought into America illegally, they didn’t make that decision, their parent did.”