Delta College and its surrounding areas have recently become the social hub for political justice displays. Since last spring, Delta College has welcomed several protests on campus and around it.
“By our very nature as a public institution of higher learning, we encourage the open and peaceful expression of ideas and opinions,” said Delta College Director of Marketing and Communications Alex Brietler.
Before the end of the Spring 2025 semester a May Day rally was held on what can be considered Delta College’s front lawn — the greenspace along the Pacific Avenue entrance. The Associated Student of Delta College (ASDC) and local youth organization Nopal hosted an event to spread awareness for marginalized communities who have suffered under President Donald J. Trump’s second administration.
The push for social change didn’t end in the spring semester.
The most notable of campus-related protests was a local version of the nationwide “No Kings” movement that was organized in response to Trump’s costly military parade in June.
The parade was in celebration of the military’s 250th birthday, though it began raising eyebrows when the date coincided with the president’s birthday.
According to a Public Broadcasting Service article the parade cost approximately $45 million.
The Stockton “No Kings” day took place the same day as this parade on June 14 at Delta College. Protesters lined Pacific Avenue in front of the Delta campus. They held posters protesting Trump’s authoritarian government, as well as his deployment of ICE to target Latino communities.
Another “No Kings” protest is scheduled on Oct. 18 no location in the Stockton area has been registered on the nokings.org website. Several organizing sites list Delta College as the likely location.
There are also protesters that make sporadic reappearances at Delta including a pro-life group that was reportedly on campus the week of the first of September, though no Collegian reporters were present at the event.
Their recurring visits to Delta have posed a controversy as some see the group as indirectly hostile.
“I find that uneasy, like unsettling in a way. Depending on the protest. If it’s a peaceful protest or real human rights of course,” said Asiah Brown, after finding out that the Pro-Life group has made several appearances on campus. “But like bashing essentially because essential that is what the abortion protest is … I don’t feel like that is morally correct.”
As a public institution Delta College is obligated to allow the Pro-Life group to have a presence on this campus. “…unless something qualifies as ‘hate violence’ as defined in the policy …freedom of speech applies,” according to Brietler.
Brietler also noted Delta’s precautionary measures of signage, warning students of graphic imagery that this group may have displayed.
Education Code § 66301 defines “hate violence” as “any act of physical intimidation or physical harassment, physical force or physical violence, or the threat of physical force or physical violence, because of the ethnicity, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or political or religious beliefs of that person or group.”
At least one student was surprised by knowledge of Delta’s role as a public institution in relation to community advocacy and protest.
“I feel like it allows us to connect with outside people who also have the same interests as us,” said Martin Gonzalez, a second-year student.
What Delta considers to be “public forums” include the grassy areas or open areas on campus; these are areas that permit displays of the First Amendment. The halls near both offices and classrooms aren’t open to protestors. This is set in place in order to prevent disruptions to the students and faculties learning environment, according Delta College Administrative Policy (AP) 3760.
There are caveats to First Amendment practice on campus.
This includes the noted area restrictions. In addition, those protesting are prohibited from impeding or harassing students, faculty or members of the public who may pass them by. This includes physical striking, blocking the way, or forcing materials distributed at the event.
In regards to material distributions by outside groups who were given permission to assemble on campus are strictly prohibited from distributing petitions or printed materials to students. Amplified sound via microphones and speakers is also prohibited as it may disrupt nearby classroom areas.
Those who choose to assemble on campus who aren’t affiliated with a student organization must give a minimum three days notice to the Arts, Humanities, and Multimedia Division giving details of what they intend to do once on campus.
All of these and more are available on the Delta’s “Policies, Procedures, and Standards” page available on the Delta College website and in BoardDocs under AP 3760.
