Student Protest Against National Guard in D.C.

A student from Howard University took a stand on Tuesday against President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard, even as many acknowledged a reduction in crime due to their presence.

Approximately 100 students congregated on campus, chanting slogans like “Free DC” and “Free Howard” for about an hour. While they recognized the drop in crime rates during the deployment, they still felt compelled to express their dissent. Trump had called for the National Guard to be deployed in the district on August 11, citing a “public safety emergency.”

Interestingly, one student, despite acknowledging the lower crime rates, stated that the National Guard’s presence made him feel safer. “You know, you have to admit, there are ups and downs with things like this,” said Landon Sals, a freshman at Howard. “Most of the time, you notice that some people seem to be on patrol as you walk around certain streets on campus.”

Another student, senior Kailyn Meriweather, expressed disappointment at the lack of participation in the protest. “The school needs to unite more because the administration might just brush this off,” she noted. “They’re concerned about their image and won’t pay attention unless it makes a significant impact.”

Meriweather also pointed out that the National Guard’s presence has made her less inclined to go out with friends. “It’s causing more harm than good,” she said. “It feels like a show of power rather than contributing anything beneficial.”

Fan Miraijo Coates, another freshman, argued that the situation undermines ideals like freedom of speech and expression. “Military occupation doesn’t reflect what safety means for everyone,” he added.

According to reports, many students were allowed to leave their classes to join the protest. Data indicates that crime, especially violent crime, has notably decreased since the federal intervention, with overall crime rates dropping by about 33% and violent crime by 71% compared to 2023.