On Tuesday, Jan. 20, thousands of protesters walked out of their jobs, schools and homes on the anniversary of President Donald Trump's inauguration to protest the Trump administration's immigration policy. Despite mass turnouts from colleges around the country, the turnout in Rexburg totaled less than a dozen.

This begs the question: are BYU-Idaho students involved enough in politics in their community? BYUI political activists on both sides say no. 

The Women's March organization, with support from several other activist groups, created the Free America walkout that took place on Jan. 20. A countrywide protest was planned in all 50 states, with 450 specific locations. The protest stated that they were walking away from fascism, with over 44,000 protesters signing up. One of these locations was Porter Park in Rexburg.

The day of the rally, however, the park was nearly empty.

Paige Murphy, a sophomore at BYUI majoring in neuroscience, organized the event. She specified that while she was hoping more students would come to the event, she's not surprised. She explained that students are not nearly politically active enough.

“I think, honestly, they are a little oblivious to the things that are happening in the world," said Murphy. "I know it’s because we’re college students and we’re focused on school, but there's just a lot that we don’t know is happening. It affects us regardless of our age. Especially since our age group doesn't vote really at all, and we can really make a sway if we decide to take initiative.”

One of the only other student activists at the rally shared a similar opinion. Aiden McArthur is a junior majoring in marketing and a member of a student-owned right-wing media company, "Young Patriots USA". McArthur phrased his opinion on student activism much more simply than Murphy. 

“Nah, nobody gives a flip,” said McArthur.

Both of these students talked with their professor about being absent from class to come to the rally. Both are seeking to lead by example. Neither of them is in a political major. Despite differences in their political views, they both came to the rally in their free time, passionate about fighting and change in their community.

"It’s not like politics is a career choice for a select few. The ideal is we should all have our careers and our lives and our families and our jobs, and then also be members of a community who are working together to make it better," McArthur said.

Both Murphy and McArthur theorized that one of the roadblocks most other students have when it comes to politics might actually be The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“People try too hard to be a member of the church, and they think being a good member of the church means not contending at all for any reason whatsoever, just sitting around being a submissive pacifier," McArthur said. "When in reality, we’re taught to stand up for what we believe in. Peacefully, of course, but to actually make a stand and be a good force in our community and in the world. That's what people don’t understand.”

The church holds a firm standard of political neutrality, refusing to get involved in elections or lobbying. The official statement from the church’s newsroom states:

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints reiterates its well-established institutional neutrality regarding political parties and candidates. It does not endorse, promote, or oppose political parties and their platforms or candidates for political office.”

Does this mean that members of the church should stay out of politics altogether?

The newsroom statement continues, “The Church also reiterates its encouragement for members to be active citizens by registering, exercising their right to vote, and engaging in civic affairs, always demonstrating Christlike love and civility in political discourse.”

The church wants members to be active participants in the political climate. If students need a place to start, Murphy and McArthur both gave a call to action for students of BYUI.

“Be involved,” McArthur said. “Be looking into things, hearing about stories, forming our own opinions, and fighting to keep our voices heard, and converse about our different ideas cause once we stop talking, once we avoid conflict, that just brings in more conflict, so the bottom line is be involved and take a stand. Have an opinion and share it." 

Murphy's call to action was a bit more specific.

“Do your research and vote in the midterms this November because that's what we really can do right now, but don't be afraid to have those conversations as well,” Murphy said.

Although politics have a history of being charged issues in communities, members of the church can still work towards what they believe in without being contentious.

“Politics affect all of us, not just federal politics, but at the state level, and our community politics is always happening," McArthur said. "If we’re not aware of what’s going on, we can't see the problems before they happen, and we're not able to solve problems after they happen."

McArthur and Murphy say that no one can escape politics, and that each student and voice can make a difference.

“This is our country, and this is where we live," Murphy said. "The best way that we can make changes and make an effect and a better life for everyone that's here is to vote and have opinions and use the rights we have to change the world."