As the Trump administration continues its assault on civil liberties for marginalized populations, students across the Boston area are rallying in defense of rights for various at-risk groups of Americans, among them Muslims, immigrants, and – over the past two weeks – the transgender community.
Last Wednesday, Feb. 22, the administration, overcoming initial opposition from Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, rolled back federal protections for transgender students that had previously safeguarded their ability to use whichever bathroom corresponded with their gender identity. The guidelines, enacted by preceding President Barack Obama in May in accordance with Title IX protections had been met with praise from the transgender community – and their retraction sparked protests across the country.
Students from Boston colleges were among the attendees at a rally in Post Office Square that formed the next evening and marched through Downtown Crossing, according to WHDH. Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang released a statement supporting the rescinded “bathroom bill,” stating:
“While the federal government has rescinded its guidance protecting transgender students in our nation’s schools, transgender and gender nonconforming students in the Boston Public Schools will remain protected from discrimination, bullying and harassment.”
On university campuses, protest spread.
“I wish we didn’t have to tell the world that trans rights matter,” said Harvard student Sheehan D. Scarborough, director of the school’s Office of BGLTQ Student Life, to a dozens-strong crowd that gathered in Harvard Yard this past Monday, Feb. 27. As reported by the Harvard Crimson, the Harvard protest was organized by the school’s Trans Task Force and was intended as a cathartic expression of anger and dismay more than a concrete rally to further a policy response.
The Harvard Islamic Society and the Black Students Association, both also student groups at Harvard, joined in solidarity.
At Suffolk University, Acting President Marisa Kelly opined that the university would continue to support the bathroom bill despite Trump’s decision.
In the email, quoted by The Suffolk Journal, she wrote:
“While I am disappointed with the decision to roll the directive back, please be assured that the federal change will have no direct effect on students here at Suffolk, nor should it affect students while in Massachusetts.”
More protests are expected to take place in coming days across Boston-area campuses.
The Boston Collegian 
