Hundreds of students made it clear how they feel about ICE with prepared speeches and signs at the walkout in front of the SLOHS Commons. The students then marched downtown to join the larger San Luis Obispo protest. Photo courtesy of junior Alex Bastidas.

  Hundreds of San Luis Obispo High School students participated in a school walkout Friday, January 30, in protest of recent actions by ICE agents in America.

  The walkout occurred during second period at 10:30 a.m. as a form of peaceful protest.

  Across the country, Americans participated in a nationwide strike by taking measures to “shut down” the economy. This meant “no school, no work, and no shopping.” These occurred in response to the killings of Minneapolis citizens Renee Good and Alexi Pretti among others. 

  “The walkout is to show that the SLOHS community will not stand for the brutal murder of our neighbors, friends, family, and even people we don’t know. It’s for people who want to participate in the blackout, but can’t because they have to go to school or their parents won’t let them,” said an anonymous senior.

  While the protest occurred solely on campus, it serves as evidence that students at SLOHS are part of a greater community of those willing to stand up for what is right.

  “[I participated in the protest because] I want ICE to be abolished and for the people in charge of ICE and the people who have been terrorizing our neighbors to be held responsible,” said another anonymous senior. 

   Students were not penalized for the walkout whatsoever, administration not issuing cuts. In accordance with SLCUSD’s Board Policy and Administrative Regulation 5113, students are issued one excused absence for a “civic or political event”. Students used this policy to leave school after the walkout and march downtown, all the while protesting ICE with signs and chants.

  The walk-out provided an outlet for students’ political expression, however the conversations sparked in the week leading up to event further contributed. In many classrooms, students were given the space to converse with peers and faculty, developing their own ideas based on current affairs. These discussions unified students and allowed them to find common ground for shared issues.

  “A lot of students feel powerless at this time, but simply having a safe space to share their feelings and thoughts helps to make the fear more tangible and easier to manage. It’s tough because some people may take things the wrong way but these conversations are essential because they also show students who is on their side if they’re potentially in a compromising situation,” said the first anonymous senior.  

  While the turnout for the walkout was very large, many students backed out at the last minute due to safety concerns. The night before the walkout, January 29, the school received reports about a freshman threatening to shoot student protestors. Principal Rollin Dickinson assured the students and families that the threat was not “credible” by Friday morning, however the threat alone was unsettling and many students chose not to attend school. 

  “I am grateful to be a part of a community where most of the people are aware that what ICE is doing is dangerous and unlawful, but the divide between those who feel this way and those who support ICE is growing larger and larger. There is significant danger in the way that some members of MAGA will justify Trump’s actions no matter what they are, even when they are filled with hypocrisy. I am encouraged, motivated, and hopeful seeing all of the protests and walkouts that occurred on January 30, but so scared by the divide that there is in America when people stop judging situations on their own and agree blindly with political figures on any part of the political spectrum,” said Beck.

  This serves as a common theme across the country, with the political divide growing larger biases and often preventing conversation between differing groups. The students who participated in the walkout aimed to bridge this gap by standing up for their beliefs.

  How can someone argue that they are ‘conducting criminal investigations’ when they deport children without due process? How is it ‘protecting public safety’ when they shoot civilians trying to follow orders, or pepper spray teenagers at school and handcuff their teachers?,” said Beck.

  The protest doesn’t stop here. Let this walk-out serve as a reminder that taking action doesn’t always manifest in the largest actions, it’s opening the discussion, informing oneself, and supporting one another. Regardless of political views, it’s more important than ever to advocate for one’s beliefs.

Source: parentsquare.com