DeKALB | After the results of the presidential election were announced, sophomore English major Maggie Hitchcock felt a call to action and founded the Love Trumps Hate Committee.

The rally began at 5 p.m. Thursday in the MLK Commons and featured speakers from organizations across campus on an open stage where attendees were encouraged to express themselves. Counseling was provided for those who felt anxiety about the election results, and attendees were asked to write letters to legislation voicing their concerns.

Hitchcock said the focus of the event was to promote an inclusive environment and make people feel accepted and loved. She said the response from students shocked her, and she is happy to provide support for those in need.

“I noticed that there were protests going on in Chicago, but they were kind of angry,” Hitchcock said. “And I knew people were angry [about the election results], but I wanted to find a way to peacefully and productively turn that anger into a resource. I hope people seek the humanity in others [tonight] and know that we’re all connected even though we might appear different.”

Many students in attendance carried signs expressing messages of love toward minorities. The night was emotional, as some attendees were seen crying. During the open stage portion of the event, attendees joined together to sing songs such as “Hallelujah” and “Lean on Me.”

Anna Corbine, junior nonprofit major at Kishwaukee Community College, said she wanted to attend the event to show support and felt the event was achieving that goal.

Other students in attendance, such as graduate student Taylor Godwin, felt the event was not achieving anything.

“So personally, my issues with what I’ve seen so far is that [the rally] is not really doing anything,” Godwin said. “It’s just an echo chamber. It’s a group of people that have the same ideas and a refusal to listen to other ideas, and it’s promoting the idea that only the people here are right.”

Freshman psychology major Kaitlyn Frisby said the event made her feel safer by creating a safe space where she was surrounded by people who valued her. Frisby said she is a Latina and identifies as a minority, and this election has created a lot of tension.

“People don’t realize that the one thing that helps people get through something like [this election] is unity and being loving and caring towards other people,” Frisby said. “You see all this violence on the news and social media, and I think events like [the unity rally] are really important because it’s showing love throughout a community instead of violent protesting.”

At the end of the rally, Hitchcock said she was thankful and amazed by all of the support the event had drawn.

“We are all here for the same goal,” Hitchcock said. “We stand for equality, for protection and for change. We need to stand together in unity now more than ever and realize that we all have humanity in common.”