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New Southwestern College student body president arranges vigil for Orlando victims to unite campus

Posted at 5:36 PM, Jun 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-14 20:36:33-04

The newest Associated Student Organization President at Southwestern College made her first decision Tuesday -- organizing an on-campus vigil for the Orlando attack victims.

Mona Dibas, who took office June 1, said, "I feel like it's my duty as a human to inspire people to see differently and to see through love and through compassion and through care and through understanding."

"I felt like on this campus, it was important to remind people that the Muslim community and the LGBT community should stay united," said Dibas, who is Muslim.

She told 10News she was sad to hear about the attacks this weekend. Then she was a little scared.

"There's always that fear in the back of my mind," she explained about being under the microscope. "[However] I don't allow this fear to take charge of who I am."

Instead, she brought the Chula Vista campus together on Tuesday. About 300 students, faculty, administrators, and staff lit candles, observed a moment of silence, and signed a giant #WeAreOrlando poster.