Vol. 71, Issue 8
O c to b e r 2 1 - O c to b e r 2 8 , 2 0 2 5
Est. 1981
THE PAISANO
Independent Student Newspaper for the University of Texas at San Antonio Community
@ThePaisano
@paisanomedia
@paisanosports
@paisanosports
/paisano-online.com
Thousands march in second ‘No Kings’ protest
Jake Mireles/The Paisano
50501 SATX organized the ‘No Kings’ demonstration that took place at Travis Park, other organizations included The Party for Socialism and Liberation (center) and the Secular Student Alliance.
Citizens, State Reps. protest Trump administration policies in nationwide demonstration
By Jake Mireles Editor-in-Chief
I
n the heart of downtown San Antonio, thousands of citizens rallied at Travis Park to protest President Donald Trump’s administration for the second nationwide “No Kings” protest on Saturday, Oct. 18. Organized by 50501 SATX, the protest and subsequent march saw speeches from U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, as well as representatives from local political organizations. Rep. Castro spoke on the increasing pressure Americans are facing due to inflation and the rising prices of basic consumer goods. “Under Donald Trump, the price of rent is going up. The price of groceries is going up. The price of childcare is going up. The price of healthcare is going up,” Castro said. “People’s morale, and their hope and their future are going down at the same time.” Building off of Castro’s message, Rep. Casar deplored a budget proposal by Republicans in Congress that would reopen the federal government following its most recent shutdown. “Trump put forward a budget to kick 15 million
people off their healthcare, double healthcare costs for 20 million more. Close our hospitals, jack up prices for everybody else,” Casar said. “He expected democrats to just fold instead of fight and go along with it. “Instead, we said ‘Hell no.’” State Rep. Gutierrez took a more vulgar approach to his indictment of the Trump administration, bashing immigration crackdowns and deportation efforts. “We are here six, seven thousand strong because we love this nation. Because what’s happening in our country right now is a bunch of bullsh—t trash to say the least,” Gutierrez said. “We got a criminal in the White House treating migrants like they’re criminals. “The truth of the moment is not that this man wants to be a dictator. He is a goddamn dictator. The truth of the moment is that this country always conserves f—cking freedom.” While the “No Kings” protest was a general indictment of the Trump administration, protestors rallied against a variety of specific policies. Some protestors, in line with messaging from Democratic politicians at the protest, denounced the administration’s anti-immigrant policies. “Say it loud, say it clear. Immigrants are welcome here,” protestors chanted during the march. “Power to the people, no one is illegal,” others exclaimed. Protestor Andrew Almanza was drawn to the march to express his disdain for the Trump administration’s policies and actions. “I am a United States veteran. I fought for freedom, and a lot of those freedoms are gonna be taken later. So I fight for that, I continue to fight. My fight never ended,” Almanza said. “I’m done with all this stuff that’s going on right now, and I just wanted to have a voice.” Protestor Delia Gutierrez, a first-generation citizen, marched to protest the state of the nation, voicing concern over the cost of living and healthcare costs. “Today I just feel like our country is under a lot of stress.
Our working class people, our military, our healthcare, the healthcare that’s at risk right now. The cost of living in our country, our wages, they just aren’t equitable to what the cost of living is right now,” Gutierrez said. “It’s an America that I don’t recognize. I just feel like every day we’re working and working and working and have nothing to show for it.” The San Antonio Police Department, bolstered by the San Antonio Park Police, was out in full force, directing the demonstrators along the predetermined route. Gov. Greg Abbott deployed 5,000 members of the Texas National Guard and 2,000 DPS troopers statewide
“It’s an America I don’t recognize.” in anticipation of the protest. Approximately 120 National Guardsmen were stationed at the Alamo. The march encountered little resistance, drawing very few counter-protestors or opposition. The march traveled along East Market St., passing Civic Park and the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center, drawing onlookers from Big Texas Comicon and the San Antonio Beer Festival. “No Kings,” a nationwide protest movement, drew crowds across dozens of U.S. cities, including New York, Austin, Washington D.C., Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles. In New York, the New York Police Department estimated that around 100,000 protesters assembled for “No Kings.” Protests were not limited to cities in the U.S.; there were marches in Berlin, Madrid, Rome and London. Organizers have claimed the marches remained largely peaceful.
Faculty member concerned over Eighmy’s post on Prop. B By Alejandra Garza Staff Writer UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy publicly endorsed the proposed Sports and Entertainment district on his X account @PresidentEighmy on Oct. 10. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our San Antonio community. I strongly support the Sports & Entertainment District concept,” Eighmy said in his post. “I encourage members of our community to be fully informed as they vote on these two propositions (A&B) this November. The data shared here are valuable sources of information. Please continue to be informed and vote!” A UT San Antonio faculty member raised concern about Eighmy’s public endorsement of Project Marvel. “The president’s statement appears to violate guidance issued by the university’s own government relations office regarding both employee use of social media and the use of UTSA affiliation to attempt to influence the outcome of an election,” the faculty member stated. The Political Activities and Institutional Guidelines identifies a section covering the use of social media as faculty at UT San Antonio. Updated on Sept. 23, under the use of social media it states that,“Professional platforms identifying your affiliation with our institution and university warrant extra diligence as it relates to the sharing of personal opinions or reposting of others’ opinions or comments. All social media accounts related to or managed by the institution must adhere to the policy and procedures outlined here and conform to institutional guidelines and professional standards.” Eighmy’s X account, @PresidentEighmy, does identify him as a UT San Antonio administrator. “6th President of The University of Texas at San Antonio,” is included in the bio, and the account links to Eighmy’s page on the UT San Antonio website. The Political Activities and Institutional Guidelines,
which abides by Chapter 556 of Texas Government Code, states that “employees may not use [their] official authority, position, title or university programs to influence or interfere with an election or for any political purpose. “If anyone were to violate these provisions, it would result in a termination or [withholding] of salary.” UT San Antonio holds a stake in the proposed project as the university plans to expand the downtown campus and looks to sell the property housing the demolished Institute for Texan Cultures. In August, the University of Texas Board of Regents offered the City of San Antonio the option to purchase the 14-acre property. According to San Antonio Express News, Eighmy has voiced his support for the initiative prior to this statement. In a public forum regarding Project Marvel, Eighmy referred to the project as “an important aspect” of a long vision for the future of the UT San Antonio. Eighmy also acknowledged a vision for “young people clamoring to stay here and work here,” expressing that“Project Marvel’s [is] an important aspect of this. Growth in downtown is an important aspect of this. We have to dream big and go big on this.” The recent support for Project Marvel from the UT San Antonio administrator has sparked concerns from a faculty member. A professor, who wishes to remain anonymous. explained their concerns about the involvement of the university president in election matters. “It is concerning to see University President Taylor Eighmy do exactly these things in a recent post on X,” the anonymous user said in the email. “Unlike most faculty or staff members who are relatively anonymous, the president of our university has a high public profile, and when he speaks, he knows that his remarks will be interpreted as the position of the university. “I cannot imagine another UTSA faculty or staff member making such remarks without facing reprimand or other serious consequences.”
Taylor Zamora/The Paisano
UT San Antonio President Taylor Eighmy in Fall 2016.