University students, staff and Charlottesville community members gathered on the Lawn Friday afternoon to demonstrate their support for University President Jim Ryan following the news of his resignation earlier that day. Hundreds of community members turned out with individuals chanting, giving speeches and waving signs to express their anger and fear at the federal government’s interference in higher education.
Ryan resigned under pressure from the Department of Justice, which demanded that he step down or risk the University losing federal research funding. These demands came amidst an ongoing federal investigation into the University’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices, which the department believes Ryan had not dissolved despite executive orders and directives from the Board of Visitors.
Community members were drawn to protest for a variety of reasons. Many noted their admiration for Ryan as a University leader and individual. Fourth-year Commerce student Emma Krooner said that Ryan has proven his devotion to the student body throughout her time at the University.
“Being a fourth-year, I've had the opportunity to go to the Run with Jim's and go to Carr’s Hill and see how connected he is with the students. He really is someone who advocates for what is right and shows a true sense of integrity as a leader,” Krooner said.
Other students pointed to specific programs they had benefited from through Ryan’s support. Several students in the School of Engineering and Applied Science and pre-health said they wanted to come to the protest because Ryan’s support of DEI initiatives has strengthened their educational experiences. According to those students, their academic fields are examples of areas where certain demographics often dominate, and DEI programs are necessary for ensuring underrepresented groups flourish.
In addition to students, many University alumni were also present. One alumna, who wished to remain anonymous, said that she has seen the University through decades of change.
“I’ve been here for over 30 years, and I’ve lived through several [University presidents]. I think [Ryan] is a good foundation. I think he has been open minded,” she said. “Do I say I’ve agreed with all of his decisions? No, but no one does, and that’s okay.”
Protesters emphasized that Ryan’s resignation was not the sole focus of the event. When the crowd began to chant, “We want Jim” at one point, Jeri Seidman, chair-elect of the University Faculty Senate and associate Commerce professor, stood on the steps of the Rotunda and urged the public to instead focus on chants centered around the Department of Justice, noting the broader precedents this might set for the future of education at the University and higher education in general.
“We love Jim, but [this protest] is really about inappropriate interference in the process [of the University],” Seidman said.
Class of 2025 alumna Em Gunter who gave a speech at the protest, brought up how just over a year ago she was involved in the protests against the University’s funding of weapons manufacturing.
“So, I say that I'm not Jim Ryan's biggest fan by any means, but I think it's extremely important to understand that it is not about Jim Ryan,” Gunter said. “It is about the authoritarian takeover of public education.”
Seidman was the first individual to speak in front of the crowd. She read a resolution from the Faculty Senate that called on the Board of Visitors to resist the Department of Justice demands and clarify the circumstances surrounding Ryan’s resignation by July 14. The Faculty Senate acts as an advisory body, and the Board is not obligated to act on this resolution.
Other speeches were made by Charlottesville community organizers, University staff and students. A representative from the political organization Indivisible Charlottesville also spoke, as well as MC Forelle, the chair of the faculty committee of United Campus Workers of Virginia’s University chapter. Forelle pointed out the lack of transparency involved, citing how The New York Times published the news of Ryan’s resignation before the University made a statement.
“For the community to find out from a national newspaper that’s located hundreds of miles from here is unacceptable,” Forelle said.
Both local organizers urged onlookers to get involved in their community.
“They will be demanding and demanding and demanding until people rise up and push back,” said the Indivisible representative. “There’s lots and lots of groups in this town. Please get involved.”
Many of the speeches were made spontaneously, as the protest had not been organized by a specific group of people. Rather, a call to show up at the Lawn at three p.m. gained traction through social media and word of mouth, according to many attendees, who described hearing about it through Facebook, YikYak, roommates and coworkers. Gunter emphasized the importance of such autonomous organizing.
“People just decided, hey, we’re f***ing mad about this. We’re gonna go do something about it, which I think is the really big lesson that we need to take for the next several years,” Gunter said. “They cannot take you down if they cannot identify the leaders.”
As the speeches died down and the crowds thinned out, people expressed mostly satisfaction with how the event went today, while acknowledging a need for continued protest. An anonymous University alumna pointed out the timing of Ryan being pressured to resign.
“I wonder how much this was intended that it would be summer, and there would be fewer people about to support this travesty or to be against this travesty,” she said.
A third-year Engineering student, who wished to remain anonymous as well, had never been to a protest before. She thought the event went well, but also wished more students would have been able to attend.
“I was pretty inspired by the speakers and what they were advocating for. It definitely made me want to go to [more protests],” she said. “I hope that this encourages people to organize more protests once the school year starts.”
Read More
EDITORIAL: Federal overreach will not end with President Ryan
By Editorial Board | 2 hours agoThe University is the first institution to lose their president as a result of dramatic and unprecedented federal intervention. But we will not be the last.
U.Va. President Jim Ryan announces his resignation
By Cecilia Mould and Naima Sawaya | YesterdayRyan said that choosing to remain in his position would threaten employees’ jobs, researchers’ funding and students’ financial aid and visa access.
EDITORIAL: Government has the power to prevent further political violence
By Editorial Board | YesterdayYoungkin cannot be held responsible for the attacks like that in Culpeper, but he can play a powerful role in preventing this disease of hatred from spreading.
