As angry protests against Donald Trump鈥檚 election win continue across the U.S. this week, one college professor managed to cut through the noise to deliver an inspiring lesson in respect.
Ann Ryan, a professor at Le Moyne College in upstate New York, addressed a crowd of anti-Trump demonstrators and Trump supporters assembled on campus for a protest on Thursday. She began her speech by telling the students that they were the most 鈥渇undamentally decent group of human beings鈥 that she has known for the last 30 years of her life.
鈥淚 have loved few people as much as I love Le Moyne students,鈥 Ryan said.
The impassioned professor then urged the protesters to remember that they are still a community. Ryan also asked her audience to respect each other鈥檚 political opinions.
鈥淔or those of you who voted for Trump, congratulations. I respect the democracy. I respect him as my president,鈥 she said. 鈥淔or those of you who did not, we will continue to fight for the values that we believe in, but you guys are not enemies.鈥
Ryan tells the students that they鈥檙e better than the protest about to happen and asks them if they can remember that before the crowd erupts in cheers and applause.
The college newspaper, The Dolphin, posted a video of Ryan鈥檚 powerful speech to Twitter on Thursday. The reaction online has been overwhelmingly positive with many of the professor鈥檚 former students chiming in on social media to sing her praises.
Anne Ryan, professor at Le Moyne, addresses the crowd by saying that despite the outcome of this election, "we are still a community."
鈥 The Dolphin (@thedolphinlmc)
One of my favorite professors at Le Moyne. This just made me like her even more!
鈥 Rebecca DeCesare (@rdecesare)
Loved learning from Prof Ann Ryan. Still do. "We are still a community." Thanks Prof Ryan - You nailed it!
鈥 mary pat (@marypatking)
One of the many great professors at Le Moyne. Makes me proud to be a 'Phin.
鈥 Alex S (@AlexStamas)
God bless Professor Anne Ryan and God bless our nation. This is what it and America are all about.
鈥 Michael C. Backus (@MichaelCBackus)
Best professor I ever had at Le Moyne comes in, stops the protests and unites as only she could
鈥 Robbie Black (@B_ballFan32)