The march, dubbed "Sanctuary Campus," was sparked by Trump's campaign pledge to deport 11 million unauthorized immigrants
NEW BRUNSWICK -- More than a thousand Rutgers students and staff took to the streets Wednesday to protest president-elect Donald Trump's election.
"I'm not afraid!" yelled Jose Serrano, a 20-year-old junior at Rutgers, who revealed to the large crowd over a megaphone that he was an unauthorized immigrant.
The march, dubbed "Sanctuary Campus," was sparked by Trump's campaign pledge to deport 11 million unauthorized immigrants -- a campaign promise he partly walked back Sunday on 60 Minutes, saying his deportation would focus on 2 to 3 million criminals here illegally.
The massive afternoon demonstration canceled some classes at the university and closed streets after it started around 3 p.m. on campus near College Avenue, proceeded down George Street and ultimately ended almost two miles later on the Douglass campus.
"We're fighting for permanent protection, dignity and respect," said Alex Uematsu, a Rutgers senior and the lead organizer of the march.
Carlos Decena, associate professor and chair of Latino Studies at Rutgers, also spoke to the crowd, saying the protest was a good start but that the fight needed to continue. He also called on students to listen more and to not immediately discredit opposing viewpoints.
"No more censoring views contrary to your's," he yelled into the megaphone. "We need to find ways to disagree, to vigorously engage, without holding our nose up and being obnoxious."
The chanting protesters were escorted by police vehicles. University officials did not immediately respond for comment.
Rutgers President Robert Barchi issued a statement Tuesday saying the university celebrates its "diverse racial, ethnic, and economic profile, and we embrace our political diversity."
There was also a small group of half-a-dozen Trump supporters, wearing red "Make America great again" hats, and holding a blue Trump banner amidst the anti-Trump demonstration.
"I wanted to make our presence known that we are no longer the minority," said Brandon Riso, 18, a freshman at Rutgers and Trump supporter who was debating students when the crowd initially gathered. "We're the majority -- and we're no longer going to be treated like second-class citizens."
The group walked with the banner side by side the crowd nearly the entire march, which went all the way to the Douglass campus.
Rutgers protester, "No Trump! No KKK, no racist USA! pic.twitter.com/PUi7pky0SV
-- Spencer Kent (@spencermkent) November 16, 2016
Hundreds gather for Rutgers Trump protest entitled, #sanctuarycampus @njdotcom @RutgersU pic.twitter.com/jLGfpcvdWV
-- Spencer Kent (@spencermkent) November 16, 2016
Rutgers students beginning walkout in protest of Donald Trump, stay tuned for live updates @njdotcom @RutgersU pic.twitter.com/MxiBTQeiuB
-- Spencer Kent (@spencermkent) November 16, 2016
NJ Advance reporter contributed to this article.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.