Evict ICE: A strong message, a poor execution

Uniland is property management and development in Buffalo. They own the office space ICE leases in Buffalo at 250 Delaware Ave. Uniland received $9.6 million in tax breaks when they were first making this space. One of Canisius’ biggest donors, the Montante family, owns Uniland. Evict ICE has a goal of convincing Montante to end the lease, or let it expire and not let them keep this as their home base in Buffalo, emphasis in Buffalo because that’s not the only space that Uniland leases to them. 

This lease is worth $2 million annually. Evict ICE is using Canisius as a platform to reach more people for their cause, which isn’t an issue as they were allowed a table outside the Dining Hall last Tuesday when invited by Latinos Unidos Celebrating Hispanic Advocacy (LUCHA), but they were wandering campus, which is a safety concern. Combined with the fact that we are not the only campus connected, D'Youville University has a direct tie too. Why aren’t they there? Why aren’t they at 300 Airborne Parkway everyday too? All of these are associated and just as good connections to Montante. 

It’s unfair how Canisius has to be one of few places where the issue being protested is fought. It’s creating a hostile environment on campus because no matter who’s right or wrong, people will die on their own chosen hills. People shouldn’t be afraid of violence or harm happening to them just because they speak what they believe. You tell them people are calling you slurs, they shake their hand and politely tell them don’t do that. It’s a joke! 

Evict ICE needs to realize that Buffalo is huge, broken up and separated. If any campaign wants to succeed, it needs to work together in all of Buffalo and in the suburbs. Stop putting all of your stress into Canisius.