On campus: Students, faculty, community members hold pro-Ukraine rally on Main Quad
On Monday afternoon, students, faculty and community members gathered on the Main Quad to rally in support of Ukraine. The rally marked the third anniversary since Russia invaded the country.
Speakers at the event criticized the federal administration’s exclusion of Ukraine from peace talks and denounced the United States’ decision to vote against a United Nations resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. They also disapproved of the shutdown of Ukrainian refugee programs like former President Joe Biden’s “Uniting for Ukraine.”
Attendees took issue with President Donald Trump’s administration’s change in policy toward Ukraine and Russia compared to Biden’s administration, which staunchly supported Ukraine. The U.S. has provided over $119 billion in aid to Ukraine since Russia invaded the country in 2022, according to the Kiel Institute.
On campus: BNAACC hosts follow-up discussion
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Student Affairs leadership held a second conversation Monday regarding the budget of the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center.
The discussion follows BNAACC’s previous meeting with students on Feb. 10 when Dr. Danita M. Brown Young, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, dispelled the rumor that cultural houses were being defunded. The conversation focused primarily on BNAACC’s budget, and the University administration shared detailed financial information about money it receives from the state, tuition and more.
Student Affairs leadership also discussed the cancellation of The Circuit, a pre-orientation program meant to introduce incoming Black students to campus life. Domonic Cobb, acting associate vice chancellor for Student Success, Inclusion & Belonging, shared that the grant money that had funded the program was depleted.
Young also addressed the Dear Colleague Letter that the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights sent out on Feb. 14, targeting race-based programs and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives. Young stated that, for now, business at BNAACC will continue as usual.
On campus: ISC election results released
Unofficial results for the campus student elections were released late Friday afternoon. Results show that Gabi DalSanto and Anjali Kumar won the race for student body president and vice president, receiving 1,833 votes or 53% of the vote.
Ariana Mizan, the incumbent student trustee, won the race again, receiving 2,545 votes. The race also decided Illinois Student Council representative elections, the unofficial results of which can be found here.
Several non-binding referendums on the ballot also passed. Referendums asking if voters supported divestment from fossil fuel companies and companies involved in human rights violations passed with 73% approval each.
Students also voted to increase the Helping Others’ Personal Excellence Fee that funds the HOPE Scholarship, which provides financial aid to students who would not otherwise be eligible for it. Over three-quarters of all voters approved a referendum asking the University to adopt a mascot for its athletic programs.
These results have not yet been finalized and will go through hearings and appeals before being officially released on March 14.
In CU: PSL holds rally against Trump’s immigration policies
On Saturday, the Party for Socialism and Liberation Champaign-Urbana and other community groups held a rally at West Side Park against the immigration policies established by the Trump administration. Speakers called for an end to mass deportations and increased protection for immigrant and migrant laborers.
Local organizations, including the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center and the Students for Socialism and Liberation, supported PSL’s efforts.
Marisa Hicks-Alcaraz, a former postdoctoral research associate at the University and one of the protest organizers, said the rally was held to show support and solidarity with migrant communities. Hicks-Alcaraz urged local elected officials to protect immigrants and migrants.
Demonstrators marched through downtown Champaign, carrying signs and chanting in opposition to Trump’s immigration policies. Organizers ended the protest by encouraging those in attendance to continue fighting back against Trump and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In the US: US-Ukraine talks sour as Trump turns on Zelenskyy
The already tense relationship between Trump and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, took a turn for the worse on Friday during a meeting on a U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal. The pair, joined in the Oval Office by Vice President JD Vance, got into a verbal disagreement over U.S. military and financial support for Ukraine.
Trump and Vance labeled Zelenskyy as disrespectful and ungrateful to the U.S. for the support it has given Ukraine so far. Vance claimed the war had to end through diplomacy, to which Zelenskyy shot back, “What kind of diplomacy?” The comment angered Vance, who said Zelenskyy was “litigating” in front of the media.
Shortly after, Zelenskyy was seen leaving the White House with the two leaders, not having reached a deal. Afterward, Trump posted on Truth Social that Zelenskyy “disrespected the United States of America” and “can come back when he is ready for Peace.”
Zelenskyy thanked Trump on social media and said in an interview that the relationship between the two could be fixed. On Sunday, he said Ukraine is still ready to agree to the minerals deal.
Worldwide: Israel cuts off aid to Gaza as temporary ceasefire expires
Israel halted the entry of food and supplies into Gaza on Sunday until Hamas agreed to a U.S.-backed extension of the ceasefire deal, the first phase of which expired Sunday, according to CNN. Hamas called the action a war crime and a “blatant attack” on the ceasefire agreement.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, said the action was due to Hamas’ refusal to accept a proposal by Steve Witkoff, U.S. special envoy to the Middle East. The proposal would extend the current deal until the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover on April 20. The proposal also called on Hamas to release half of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
The Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, who is a mediator in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas, said Israel is using starvation as a weapon. The United Nations called the action “alarming,” and Doctors Without Borders said Israel was using aid as a bargaining chip. The U.S. did not immediately comment on the situation.
The two sides have only negotiated the first phase of the ceasefire, which began on Jan. 19. A second phase would include Hamas releasing many of the remaining hostages in exchange for Israel pulling out of Gaza. PBS says negotiations were meant to start a month ago but have since stalled.
