SJSU holds peaceful dialoge for students post election

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - In San Jose, hundreds of students gathered at San Jose State University Wednesday night, taking part in a peaceful dialogue to reflect on the president-elect. Like many campuses, there was a mix of emotions from young people. Many of them energized and empowered to fight for what's right.

"A lot of us are angry," said Student Isabel Rangel. "We aren't even explaining why we are angry."

Rangel said she was disappointed when she found out Donald Trump was going to be the next president especially coming from a Latino family.
               
"I was sad," said Rangel. "I was fearful. I'm not going lie but I look around and I'm not the only one."

Rangel is among hundreds of students who gathered by the iconic Tommie Smith and John Carlos statues, known for their civil activism. The students engaged in a unique diaglogue. In small groups, it was an opportunity for them to vent.

"For me it hurts because my grandmother is at home with my four little brothers and she's undocumented and she is scared," said Student Ilseh Busarelo.

"I started to get worried about me living here in the States," said International Student Mohammed Alamoudi.

Alamoudi is an international Muslim student from Saudi Arabia. He is now thinking of not going home for the holidays.

"Would I be able to get into the states or banned from entering so I might cancel this trip," said Alamoudi.
               
This is the second night in a row students at San Jose State voiced their concerns. School officials said they support students expressing themselves.

"We want to encourage students to exercise their rights when they feel the need to in terms of free speech, expression and the freedom to congregate," said San Jose State Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Kathleen Wong(Lau).

Also by campus, at the Martin Luther King Junior Library, a few dozen people called for peace. All of them are hopeful in healing the divide.

"Right now I feel hopeless but I know the future is better than this and if we unite we will have a better future," said Patricia Mungal of San Jose.

School officials had extra police officers on hand in case the events got unruly, which they did not.