On the quiet Thursday afternoon of February 5th, Dr. Ron Swain held a memorial service for recent victims of the Immigration Customs Enforcement Agency, ICE. Around sixty students and faculty from Southwestern somberly stood outside of the Lois Perkins Chapel, in an arc around the seal to honor the memory of those lost. Each person was given a candle to hold and a sheet of paper to reference for affirmations that would be stated aloud. 

Students gathered to the sound of “Wake up everybody” by Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes, and “We are here” by Alicia Keys before Dr Swain began his address. Dr Swain opened by discussing the victims that the ceremony honored. Since the start of 2026, ICE has murdered eight people. Their names are as follows:

Luis Gustavo Núñez Cáceres, January 5th 

Geraldo Lunas Campos January 3rd

Víctor Manuel Díaz, January 14th

Parady La, January 9th

Renee Nicole Good, January 7th

Luis Beltrán Yáñez–Cruz, January 6th

Heber Sánchez Domínguez, January 14th

Alex Pretti, January 24th

After calling out each name, and describing the impact on their local communities in life and death, Dr. Swain lit the first candle. He then used his candle to light those standing next to him; the process progressed as each person passed the flame to one another. In the background, “This Little Light of Mine” by Odetta played so that the candlelight could shine in memory.

After the wind slowly extinguished the lights one by one, Dr. Swain invited everyone to read the closing affirmations, based on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s writings, aloud. 

For those unable to attend, the affirmations are as follows: 

I refuse to believe that we are unable to influence the events which surround us.

I refuse to believe that we are so bound to racism and war, that peace, brotherhood, and sisterhood are not possible.

I believe that there is an urgent need for people to overcome oppression and violence, without resorting to violence and oppression.

I believe that we need to discover a way to live together in peace, a way which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of this way is love.

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. I believe that right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant.

I believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality, and freedom for their spirits.

I believe that what self-centered people have torn down, other-centered people can build up.

By the goodness of God at work within people, I believe that brokenness can be healed, “And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together, and everyone will sit under their own vine and fig tree, and none shall be afraid”

Southwestern is a liberal arts university that heavily fosters community, with members like Dr. Swain who strongly value social justice and the reformation of peace. Recent political events and occurrences have created deep polarization in our community. Prominent social leaders and Southwestern community members have expressed their disdain for the conflict that these events have created with our Southwestern core purpose. It has been propagated that “Fostering a liberal arts community whose values and actions encourage contributions toward the well-being of humanity” can not be appropriately done while we stand idly by. Dr. Swain and his communications assistant, Ileana Walk, have expressed their pride for what they call “a show of nonviolent action.” The event was planned with black history month in mind, with special consideration for Southwestern’s principles and philosophies. The gravity of the situation was reflected by the planning of the event, having been organized, greenlit, marketed, and executed within two weeks. 

While tragic events continue to darken the horizon, like the extrajudicial dominance of ICE, it is important for people to come together as a community in solidarity with one another. Dr. Swain hosts a gathering in the chapel every Thursday at 4:00 pm, titled Agape Hour (hour for peace) , and all are welcomed with open arms. He is also hosting several philosophical reflection luncheons across the next few months. Keep alert for Social justice events hosted and co-hosted by the Office of Spiritual Life!

RSVP for Luncheons: https://forms.gle/MrBEtzHKrWw5kn697