Jan. 14, 2022 at roughly 11 a.m., three students sat in The Garage at Kirby Student Center, visible and ready to speak with any person who may approach. They were surrounded by cardboard signs, the largest reading “PUBLIC MEANS PUBLIC.” 

University of Minnesota Duluth students have formed a group under the belief that anyone should be allowed to enroll and participate in classes, regardless of whether or not they have completed the COVID-19 vaccination status requirement. 

Lucius Lafromboise, a Chemical Engineering major and the apparent leader of the group, explained what is meant by “public means public.”

“We believe that they (UMD) should allow all students that are academically qualified to attend,” Lafromboise said. 

Cardboard signs with slogans written in bright green paint read “EDU 4 ALL” and “RETHINK THE MANDATE,” around the protest table.

The issue isn’t with the vaccine itself, according to Lafromboise. Instead, the problem is the school blocking registration for students who have not filled out the proof of vaccination form. 

Lafromboise has not filled out the required proof of vaccination, so is not allowed to register for classes this semester. As a result, he does not know when he will be able to graduate.  

“I can’t fill out that form because that would be validating immoral and unethical policy that is denying students education,” Lafromboise said. He declined to add whether or not he has received the vaccine. 

“The University’s slogan is diversity, inclusivity, and equity, and we just don’t feel that they’re following what their goal is to achieve at the school,” said Alexandra Wagman, a Teaching Life Science major.

Wagman personally had an issue with the school mandating a vaccine that does not have “decades of research and application,” as other requirements may.

For reference, students enrolled in a Minnesota college or university and born after Dec. 31, 1956, are required by Minnesota law to be immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps and rubella. 

“I think this goes to a key part of our protest is that we’re not anti-vax — many of us are pro-vax —we’re anti-mandate,” said Benjamin Fisher, a Biology major at UMD.

These three members of the anti-mandate group were keen to reiterate that their protest centers on education. 

“We are committed to keeping this university open to everybody, because we truly believe that education has the power to change people’s lives,” Lafromboise said enthusiastically.

Fisher has found that many people are willing to hear the group’s complaints, and more than expected actually agree with their points.

Lafromboise claims that the anti-mandate protest is not a political issue, and that members of on campus groups, ranging from Bulldog Republicans to Young Democratic Socialists of America, are in some agreement with their concerns about the vaccine mandate. 

Lafromboise stated that he has been on hunger strike since Jan. 12 and said, “I will not eat until we get education back for everybody.”