The Aftereffects of a High School Walkout: What’s Next for Change?
Yisel Perez-De Luna, Writer
Students at San Jacinto High School performed a walkout on February 6th to protest ICE raids across California. These up-and-coming voters are showing their power in numbers to raise awareness of a political issue they consider important and worthy of change. They are making the conscious decision and effort to advocate for the justice of people in the country who do not hold that privilege.
As tensions regarding immigration and ICE rise due to people’s increased fear of being targeted due to previous unethical actions by ICE officers, high school students are beginning to advocate for a change in policy. Tactics to cause fear are being used by the government administration to deport only illegal residents and criminals in the United States. However, Local vendors in Los Angeles are being forced to shut down out of fear of deportation because they fit a specific profile. According to the Los Angeles Times, ICE agents have “gone door-to-door and at times forcibly stormed into people’s homes without judicial warrants.” This invasion and direct violation of rights has been observed by students all throughout California.
There are students speaking out against the injustice being done to their peers, parents, and community members. Through social media, students began to observe that harmful acts were being committed against people across the country under the guise of justice and safety. So students at San Jacinto High School and other schools surrounding the area began to come together and planned a collective walkout, which took place on Feb. 6. One student who helped to coordinate and spread the information of the walkout states, “we want people to see us and hear us.” Cars zoomed past students as they purposely chose to walk through busy streets. They were not seeking an immediate change in the state of their city; they were using their voices and right to assembly to show they are united and to encourage more people to seek change.
Prior to the walkout, there was a lot of energy and fear from the students. Students on social media reposted fliers and tried to get out as much information as possible. Although among this fervor, there was fear: fear of what would happen with school, authorities, or citizens outside school. Although these fears were overcome by the community among the students, and overall, their energy to fight for others’ rights. A student who did not walk out because of her situation says, “I choose to stay involved in safer ways, like attending city council meetings.” Not all students were comfortable with a walkout, but they are aware of their rights and use them to fight for them.
After the walkout, there has not been much change in the atmosphere of the high school. Students continue their days as usual, but they now carry new knowledge. They are aware of the power numbers have in the democratic world we live in. And they know that those numbers of people are closer than we believe them to be. Fellow classmates or teachers united for a day to participate in a walkout, sharing a common fight. Students across campus are better informed about what is happening in their community and can now carry the flame of seeking change. As many high school students begin preparing to vote, hopefully, this excitement for politics and the pursuit of change will be sustained.
Leave a Reply