‘Hands off Haskell’: students protest outside Kansas Capitol after staff laid-off
Published: Feb. 24, 2025 at 6:47 PM CST|Updated: Feb. 24, 2025 at 6:56 PM CST
TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) - Students and ers gathered to protest outside the Kansas State Capitol Monday, Feb. 24.
Those protesting chanted “Hands off Haskell.”
This comes after federal funding cuts forced Haskell Indian Nations University to lay off about 25% of its staff.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Haskell University work to reverse Trump-mandated layoffs, staff cut 25%
The Bureau of Indian Affairs runs the school. Students and ers say treaties guarantee the school’s operations.
“I’m fighting for the same thing I feel like we’ve always fought for,” one protester said. “We just want the same education opportunities and, to be ourselves, to practice our culture without jeopardy.”
The board of regents at Haskell is petitioning the U.S. Department of the Interior to restore funding.
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