Students protest pro-ICE speaker on Ball Circle after Spirit Rock painting controversy

by HORTENSIA NGANDU

Staff Writer

On March 10, UMW students protested an event featuring Nick Freitas, a right-wing influencer and former Republican representative for the District 62 Virginia House of Delegates, who is outspoken about his support of the Trump Administration’s ongoing immigration crackdown.

The protest was organized through social media platforms such as YikYak and Instagram. Students planned to convene during the same time as Freitas’s discussion. Signs in hand, they settled onto Ball Circle, in front of the building where the event was taking place.

In January, students painted the campus Spirit Rock as a tribute to those who were killed by federal agents during immigration enforcement operations, specifically those shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The phrase “Victims of ICE” was painted onto the rock, along with the names of the deceased.

In February, UMW College Republicans painted the rock with the phrase “Victims of Illegals,” advertising the speaker event with Freitas, who was to lead a discussion with UMW students and the Fredericksburg community.

According to senior English major Megan Rivera, the recruitment chair for the College Republicans, their ultimate goal was to “be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Within a few hours after the repainting, the words were spray-painted over with the statement “In 2025 + 26, ICE murdered 73 people.”

As per the guidelines of the Office of Student Activities and Engagement, using spray paint on the Spirit Rock is prohibited. This urged students to unite and repaint the rock with approved materials instead. The outcome was a painting including the words “ICE OUT.”

According to freshman Katherine Watterson, who took part in creating the artwork, the painting of the rock was coordinated on YikYak, with around 25 people participating in the end.

“I think that’s probably the most important part about the whole event, it’s not a club, and it’s not just me, it’s just people coming together as a community for a purpose,” said Watterson.

Regarding the content of the “Victims of Illegals” message itself, Watterson explained that she found it disingenuous.

“It is definitely important to highlight people that have lost their lives, but when you do it in that manner, it feels as though you have outweighed the lives of innocents lost with the lives of other innocents lost,” said Watterson.

Students came to the protest eager to share their voices and stand up for what mattered to them.

“These are issues I feel very passionate about. I feel everyone truly deserves to feel safe where they live, and I truly believe everyone deserves to live in a safe place,” said freshman Max Haussermann when asked about being at the protest.

Another protestor, senior communications major Ryder Ward, shared a sign made for the protest that read ‘If one person lacks due process, no one has it.’

“They’re just kidnapping people off the streets, and that means no one now has due process, even if you’re safe,” said Ward.

The UMW Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA) were present at the protest and had set up a booth with a sign saying “Socialism beats Fascism.”

According to Katie Dickinson, a junior international relations major and co-chair of YDSA, the club had done tabling prior to spring break to share information about ICE. They were also responsible for the painting of the original “Victims of ICE” tribute on the Spirit Rock.

“I think for the most part, taking any attention away from speakers like this is beneficial, as long as people aren’t attending the event and giving the speakers exactly what they want, I see that as an absolute win,” said Dickinson.

Junior Madailein McDonough, a political science major and president of UMW’s Turning Point USA Chapter—a conservative club—was present at Freitas’s discussion.

“Personally, I think we need more open debates regarding ICE on both political sides,” said McDonough. “I know he’s a Republican, but I’d like to hear both sides. I think we need more of that engagement on campus.”

Overall, many students felt as though the situation helped bring people on campus together who shared similar views, while simultaneously creating a divide between opposing opinions.

“I feel like there’s always been division on campus,” said sophomore history and theatre major Ellie Owen. “I just feel like this strengthened, especially with students who disagree with who Mary Washington chooses to uplift and show as speakers.”