Feb. 20 was World Justice Day, a global observance that focuses on fairness, equality, human rights, and creating opportunities for all people. While the day is recognized internationally, its meaning has recently felt more personal to students on campus following conversations about the walkout protest against ICE.

World Social Justice Day was created to highlight issues such as poverty. discrimination, and unequal treatment. The purpose of the day is to encourage people to reflect on how society can become more just and inclusive. For many students, that reflection has extended beyond the classroom and into real-life events happening in our communities.

Freshman Ariana Arreguin Zuniga believes the connection between the awareness and the recent protest is clear.

“Social Justice is about standing up for people who don’t always have a voice,” Arreguin said. “If students feel like something is unfair, it makes sense that they would want to speak up about it.”

Similarly, freshman Matei Baima shared that social justice is not just something discussed in history books.

“It’s still happening right now,” Baima said. “When people protest, they’re usually trying to call attention to something they think isn’t right. That connects to what World Social Justice Day stands for.”

The walkout protest, which focused on immigration enforcement policies and political leadership, sparked discussion among students about the role young people should play in social and political issues. Some students see participation in protests as a way to exercise their rights and advocate for change, while others believe awareness and conversation are just as important.

World Justice Day encourages people to think about fairness on a global scale, but events like the walkout show how those ideas feel local and immediate. Whether the student chose to participate or simply observe, the discussions surrounding the protest highlight how engaged many young people are with current events.

As conversations continue, World Social Justice Day serves as a reminder that these topics do not exist in isolation. The discussions sparked by the walkout show that students are thinking about fairness, equality, and their role in shaping the future. For many, social justice is not limited to a single day on the calendar. It is something that continues through dialogue, awareness, and the choices people make every day.

Written by senior Leslie Arreguin Zuniga . Edited by staff writers for Oswego East’s online news magazine The Howl.