Tacoma, WA – On February 6, 375 students walked out from Washington High School and Keithley Middle School before the final class period of the day, joining the movement of students across the country who are standing up to ICE.

As the bell rang students began to gather outside in the sun holding Mexican, Guatemalan, Puerto Rican, Columbian, Brazilian and Honduran flags. Washington High School junior Madyson Smith addressed her fellow classmates with a Puerto Rican flag around her neck saying, they were all together to “stand up for not only our Hispanic community, but everyone else who is affected.”

This action is one of many in the greater Tacoma area. In recent weeks. There have been many walkouts at high and middle schools including at Franklin Pierce, Graham-Kapowskin, Stadium, Silas, Annie Wright, Rogers and more.

“Our community in Tacoma/Parkland is in fear of ICE. Washington High School is a very diverse campus with almost 40% of students being Hispanic,” Smith said. “We want our school district to be more aware of what’s going on and practice our anti-ICE policies more and make school a safe space for students!”

In preparation for the walkout students had sign-making parties and meetings with supporters. They tasked local organizations including Pierce County Immigration Alliance (PCIA), Climate Alliance South Sound (CASS), Philippines US Solidarity Organization (PUSO) Tacoma, Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), and Rainier View Christian Church with ways to materially support them, including providing snacks and water and on-the-ground support.

When asking FRSO member Ari Pahoundis why they showed up to support they shared, “It's so inspiring to see the next generation of organizers taking to the streets to speak out for their community. These students are going to be out here either way, and we have a responsibility to do what we can to support them.”

A group of volunteers helped block off a side road from incoming traffic so that the students could safely march from the parking lot towards the main road. One of those volunteers, Nick Miskogwane, member of PCIA Teamsters 313 said, “I think it’s crucial we support and teach our youth the importance of free speech and democracy – for [them] to learn the power they have.”

The electric crowd of students marched farther than originally planned, fearlessly taking over a lane on the main road and totaling 1.2 miles round trip. Parents and community members drove by honking and waving flags in support and many joined on foot to help direct traffic. Madyson, Felix, and more helped lead their classmates in chants including, “No justice! No peace! Get ICE off our streets!”

The march wrapped up with students arriving back on campus to catch their buses, greeted by supportive parents and staff. Students also continued to celebrate their cultures, playing Mexican music and dancing Huapango in the parking lot.

An on-the-ground volunteer with CASS and local doula Jessica Whitson said, “These kids will be adults soon and they should have their voices heard and get a say about the systems that impact them. They were brave and energized, marching together making it loud and clear they want ICE off their streets. The teachers that know these kids were so incredibly proud of their students, many shedding tears of joy as the kids marched and made their voices heard.”

When asked about the impact this action had on her fellow classmates, organizer Smith said, “Students before the protest were in a stage of fear — kids weren’t coming to school. After the protest everyone is hyped and lowkey happy about how it turned out.”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #HighSchool #PCIA #PUSO #FRSO #CASS

Tacoma, WA – On January 12, students at IDEA High School walked out of class to stand up against ICE in their community. Over 100 students marched to a busy intersection and then continued to circle the intersection marching in the crosswalks as passing drivers honked their horns in support.

the students carried signs and chanted together “ICE out! We won't go!” as they marched through the crosswalks. When the students returned to the school an hour later, they rallied again on the sidewalk in front of the building expressing their solidarity. This happened in the face of the administration telling them to stay off of school property.

When asked why the students are taking to the streets, Mathilda Cousin said, “I hate ICE, and I hate what they are doing with people. It's awful! They are taking people who are legal citizens, and they are trying to deport them for no reason.” Mathilda continued, “I come from a mixed cultural background and just thinking about if ICE tried to deport someone that I love, I hate that! And knowing that that has happened to people, I want to stand with them.”

When asked how students are affected by ICE, Roberto Damian Camacho said, “I'm here to protest ICE. It affects me because it's killing my people who did nothing wrong, and it's affecting my other people who don't feel safe to roam the streets anymore.”

Alexander Jacob-Michael Gillis said, “They deported my niece, who is a 9-year-old girl. She's from here. She was born in California, and they deported her all the way ‘back’ to Thailand even though she's not from there.” Alexander continued, “Our leaders aren't doing anything about this. They say they are, but I have seen no action so far. All I've seen is executions by ICE against innocent Americans who are using their First Amendment right to protest and to lawful assembly. It's just really sad.”

Valerian Garzón, a student who was photographing the event, when asked how ICE is affecting students, said, “A large population of the school is Hispanic, myself included. So for me and for a lot of kids at school it's something which has hit very close to home and affected a lot of our community members. I've seen ICE crawling around this neighborhood and around our school several times, as well as hearing stories of family members or community members that have been taken. So it's something that I think hits very close to home for a lot of people here.”

Ella Hibbard said, “I am out here protesting ICE in America and blatant murder and kidnapping of people who just wanna make a living.” Ella continued, “ICE affects my fellow students especially. Especially those who may not be able to have the correct documents. They are still people who belong in a community, and that community is with us and not in some fucked-up prison!”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #ICE #HighSchool

Tampa, FL – Dozens of students from Wharton High School walked out on February 9 in protest of the Trump administration's vicious attacks on immigrants. Students chanted “No justice, no peace, no ICE in our streets” and other students cheered from buses as they left at the end of the school day.

Students were vocal about their support for immigrants. Wharton student Isabella Concepcion said, “We mean it when we say no human is illegal on stolen land, they don’t have the right to deport them.” “We need to welcome foreigners, not mistreat them,” said Angelina Jones, also a Wharton student.

The action was organized by the Students for a Democratic Society chapter at Wharton High School who plan to continue to organize against the Trump administration.

#TampaFL #FL #StudentMovement #ImmigrantRights #SDS #HighSchool

Saginaw, TX – En febrero 9, más de 200 estudiantes y miembros de la comunidad de la Escuela Secundaria Boswell en Saginaw, Tejas marcharon en protesta de la continua violencia que ICE ha usado contra su comunidad. Esta marcha viene después de una huelga que los estudiantes de Boswell organizaron en febrero 2, lo que trajo amenazas de suspensiones y expulsiones al cuerpo estudiantil por parte del Director Ryan Wilson.

Esta acción fue dirigida en conjunto por los organizadores estudiantiles y la Alianza Nacional Contra la Represión Racista y Política (NAARPR) Dallas.

Miembros del NAARPR-Dallas aportaron a la marcha proveyendo a los organizadores estudiantiles con gestores de seguridad, señales de protesta, cantores y una pancarta de “Legalización para todos”. La marcha y protesta fueron en conjunción con el Día Nacional de Acción de la Red Legalización Para Todos para exigir justicia por Renee Good, Alex Pretti, Keith Porter e inmigrantes asesinados por ICE.

Mientras los estudiantes marchaban por la acera, cantaban, “ICE fuera de DFW” y “No justicia, no paz – ICE fuera de nuestras calles” mientras conductores apoyando tocaban sus bocinas en respuesta. Los estudiantes exigían legalización para todos y se expresaron en contra de la represión de ICE.

Brody Jones, uno de los organizadores estudiantiles, dijo, “Estamos aquí por nuestras familias, por nuestros compañeros y por nuestros amigos, exigimos ICE fuera de todo lugar.”

La marcha pasó a través de calles principales, y algunos contramanifestantes amenazaron a uno de los estudiantes con un arma. Gestores de seguridad de NAARPR lidiaron con la situación mientras que observadores legales documentaron el incidente.

La marcha terminó a las afueras de la Escuela Secundaria Boswell. A pesar de todos los retos, los estudiantes se mantuvieron entusiasmados y querían continuar organizando protestas.

Glenn Reed, un miembro de la Organización Socialista Camino de la Libertad, dijo, “Es increíble ver a la siguiente generación de luchadores por la libertad tomarse la democracia en sus propias manos y protestar en contra de ICE y exigir el fin de la agenda Trump, además de legalización para todos.”

#SaginawTX #TX #ImmigrantRights #ICE #HighSchool #StudentMovement #NAARPRDFW

Saginaw, TX – On February 9, over 200 students and community members from Boswell High in Saginaw, Texas marched in protest over the ongoing violence ICE has used against their community. This march comes after a walkout that the students of Boswell High organized on February 2, which brought threats of suspensions and expulsions upon the student body from Principal Ryan Wilson.

The action was jointly run by the student organizers and National Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (NAARPR) Dallas.

Members of the NAARPR-Dallas assisted the march by providing the student organizers with marshals, protest signs, chanters and a “Legalization for all” banner. The march and protest were in conjunction with the Legalization for All Network's National day of action to demand justice for Renee Good, Alex Pretti, Keith Porter and immigrants killed by ICE.

As the students rallied at the Effie Center on school property, they were immediately met by police who demanded the marchers disperse immediately. Nevertheless, students stayed strong and marched despite the threats.

As the students marched along the sidewalk, they chanted, “ICE out of DFW” and “No justice, no peace – ICE out of our streets” as supportive drivers honking their horns in response. The students demanded legalization for all and spoke out against ice repression.

Brody Jones, one of the student organizers, said, “We are here for our families, for our fellow students and our friends, we demand ICE out of everywhere.”

The march passed through major streets, and some counter-protesters threatened one of the students with a gun. NAARPR marshals dealt with the situation while legal observers documented the incident.

The march ended on the outskirts of Boswell High School. Despite all the challenges, the students remained enthusiastic and wanted to continue organizing protests.

Glen Reed, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization, said, “It is amazing to see the next generation of freedom fighters take democracy into their own hands and protest against ICE and demand the end of the Trump agenda, as well as legalization for all.”

#SaginawTX #DallasTX #TX #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #HighSchool #NAARPR

Tampa, FL – On February 6, over 25 high school students from Blake High School in Tampa, Florida walked out to protest Trump's attacks on immigrants around the country.

As students rallied on campus ready to walk out, school administration locked the gates surrounding the campus to stop the walkout. Days before the walkout, Hillsborough County Schools sent out an email threatening disciplinary action against students partaking in walkouts – a clear violation of students’ First Amendment rights. Nonetheless, several students jumped the gates of their school and successfully walked out. More joined the rally at the end of classes.

From off campus, members of the Tampa Immigrants Rights Committee, Tampa Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Tampa Bay Students for a Democratic Society, and community members chanted “Let the students walk,” until students were able to march off campus. Organizers helped lead the students along their march.

Chanting “No fear, no hate, no ICE in our state” and “No Trump, no KKK, no racist USA,” students marched around the block and gave speeches. Students spoke against Trump, deportations and ICE. Ashely Garcia said, “They call us illegal but eat from our hands.”

Students who attempted to march back onto campus to join with others who were unable to leave campus were confronted by police threatening to trespass them. Despite this threat, students continued their rally off campus in high spirits, receiving much support from passing drivers.

#TampaFL #FL #ImmigrantRights #ICE #TIRC #TAARPR #StudentMovement #HighSchool

Tacoma, WA – Marching from school into the street, over 100 students from Silas High School walked out in the middle of the school day on February 2, to demand an end to anti-immigrant terror. After a series of walkouts, including several that happened this same day, the students bravely continued the fight against ICE.

When asked why students of Silas chose to walk out, highschooler Hayden Tucker-Burrell responded, “I think we decided to do this because the more people who do it, the bigger the movement. There's other schools doing this today as well, and we really want to get the message across that what's happening is not okay! And the fact they are coming to schools and taking children, and outright murdering people in the street, nothing about that is okay and should not be sanctioned by our government. So we decided to walk out to prove that.”

Natalie Grace, a student leading chants, when asked about the impacts of ICE on students said, “It makes me feel so unsafe and worried. They've killed people, and I have to say something about it.”

Ivy Anderson proudly stated, “We chose to walk out today because we've seen all the injustice that's been happening, and we've seen the people who've been murdered by ICE and we really don't stand for that. We want ICE out of our streets!” Anderson continued, “Everyone who has been murdered needs to have justice, and we think that this will help bring them justice and stop all the things that ICE is doing.”

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #HighSchool #ICE

Tacoma, WA – On Monday, February 2, hundreds of students walked out of Stadium High School and marched to nearby Wright Park to fight back against ICE. Stadium is one of several high schools in the Tacoma area that coordinated a walk-out in protest of ICE on February 2.

“I was sick and tired of coming to school every day and hearing my friends talk about how they cry themselves to sleep, afraid that their families will be taken from them,” said one of the students who organized the event.

Students led chants of “No hate, no fear, no one is illegal here!” and “I-C-E, K-K-K, I-O-F, they're all the same!”, and held signs with messages such as “ICE out now!” and “Melt ICE.” For many people who attend the school, the attacks from ICE have hit close to home.

“I had a family friend actually get taken a couple weeks ago,” said Jack Tolliver, a student attending the rally. “What they're doing, it's not humane, it's not civil. It's just not fair.”

Tacoma residents have seen an increase in ICE sightings across the city, often in neighborhoods with a high concentration of oppressed nationalities.

“We decided to walk out today because I have lots of friends and family that are getting kicked out and getting arrested. I don't stand for that stuff, neither does my family. And I want to help support everybody,” said Addison Werner, another student attending the walk-out.

When asked about next steps, students expressed that they intend to continue fighting back to get ICE out of Tacoma. “I think I actually might show up to the Kick ICE Out of Tacoma thing,” Tolliver said, referring to an upcoming Pierce County Immigration Alliance (PCIA) rally at Tacoma City Council.

#TacomaWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #HighSchool #PCIA

Graham, WA – on Thursday, January 29, over 200 high school students walked out in the middle of the school day in solidarity with the popular movement against ICE terror in Minneapolis. Students marched for two hours in the rain, defending each other from reactionary Trump supporters, and despite threats of repression from the school admin.

Chanting “Fuck ICE!” along the way, these students built a new level of struggle in this rural city in Pierce County, Washington, where Sheriff Keith Swank has threatened to crack down on youth and openly supports ICE.

Jocelyn Mendoza-Villalpando, a student protesting ICE terror, stated, “My mom is a Dreamer, she came here for a better opportunity in life. Two days ago, she got stopped by immigration because she looked different.” Mendoza-Villalpando continued, “I'm so happy she had her papers on her, because I don't know what I would have done if they took my mother away from me.”

When asked why the students walked out today, student Jennifer Muñoz proudly responded, “Because we think that everything that's happening with ICE is wrong, and no one is illegal on stolen land! Especially innocent immigrants who want a better life for themselves and their family.”

“Kids are scared to come to school,” reported Delaney Meyers. “My friend didn't come to school for three weeks because she was scared of ICE.”

Tina Olsen, parent of a protesting student, stated, “I think it is imperative that the students who are about to be voters are involved in what's happening in our society, and if they see something that's wrong and unjust, they need to do exactly what they're doing and use the power of their voices and their bodies to walk out of school. And it's equally important that we support our children!”

Leylani Ostos explained while marching with her sister and holding a Puerto Rican flag why she was walking out, “I come from immigrant parents, they came here legally. And yet ICE can come for my family and tear it apart.” She continued, “It's sad that we have to do this instead of the adults. It's sad that this generation now has to do this, because the people who were supposed to protect us failed us.”

Her sister Eliana Ostos added, “They don't care if I'm legal or not, they will come grab me if they want and send me ‘back’ to a country I wasn't born in!”

#GrahamWA #WA #ImmigrantRights #ICE #HighSchool #StudentMovement

New Orleans, LA — On January 20, students from Benjamin Franklin High School organized a walkout and rally of more than 400 of their classmates to resist the escalating violations of civil and human rights by ICE. Chants that “ICE Gestapo has got to go!” echoed through the fields of the campuses of Ben Franklin and the neighboring University of New Orleans.

The rally was organized by Students for Resistance, a new group of high school students across the New Orleans area. A senior at Ben Franklin who is a Students for Resistance organizer said they came out to, “demonstrate to New Orleans, to Donald Trump, and to the USA that students at Benjamin Franklin High School do not stand with the fascist regime that is rising” and that they “stand with immigrant neighbors.”

Also in attendance at the rally were members of Students for a Democratic Society from Loyola and Tulane Universities. SDS spoke in solidarity with the high school students organizing against the reactionary Trump regime.

Rosalina Framboise, a Loyola student and SDS member, said in a solidarity speech, “Students at all levels have a fire in us, and we need to continue to dare to struggle to the fullest extent of our capacities!”

From Minneapolis to New Orleans, these large demonstrations show that the second Trump administration’s racist policies will continue to be resisted, and that people from all backgrounds will continue to show up to protest them.

#NewOrleansLA #LA #ImmigrantRights #StudentMovement #HighSchool #SDS

Colorado Springs, CO – On January 12, students at Coronado High school in Colorado Springs staged a walk out to protest ICE’s murder of Renee Good, who graduated from Coronado High School in 2006.

Students were joined and supported by the Colorado Springs Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and many community members, including alumni who had been classmates with Renee Good.

At the start of lunch, students walked out and marched from Coronado High school to the visible, high traffic corner of W Fillmore Street and Centennial Boulevard, where a group of over 100 held signs with messages like “Rest in power Renee Good” and “The system isn’t broken, it was built this way.” As they marched they chanted “Coronado Cougars are here to stay! We want justice for Renee!” “Say her name, Renee Good!” “From Minnesota to the 719, observing ICE is not a crime!” They garnered support from many passing drivers who honked and waved.

“We are mourning for the loss of Renee Good, she was a fellow alumni of our school, she graduated in 2006, so we’re here to honor her memory and fight back ICE,” said Ricardo Madrigal, a student currently attending Coronado. “I felt angry when I heard that she was from Coronado” said Madrigal, recounting his reaction to finding out who the victim was. He went on to describe other victims, saying “Renee Good started this protest, but there have been other people that have been shot and killed by ICE, for example Keith Porter Jr. was also killed by ICE, really it’s just gotten to a point where we can’t even trust our own government.”

COSAARPR provided support in coordination with the students, providing equipment, signs, hot chocolate, as well as buttons and information about local victims of police crimes and the fight for community control of the police. Community members also made and brought buttons to share. A former classmate spoke about Good and thanked current students for fighting for justice for her.

After hours of chanting at the corner of a busy intersection, students marched back to Coronado High School, where they continued chanting until school got out. It was a powerful day of student-led protest, communal grieving for Renee Good, and calls for justice, accountability and change.

#ColoradoSpringsCO #CO #ImmigrantRights #ReneeGood #HighSchool #COSAARPR

Commentary by Lia S. Lopez

Chicago, IL – Chicago has so many unique and distinctive neighborhoods, but Little Village is special. Little village is one of the most prominent neighborhoods with Black and brown people. The community of Little Village has always cherished our heritage and upheld it through each passing generation.

However, with President Trump pushing for mass deportation around the country, we as a community have lost our passion. Due to the Operation Midway Blitz, many community members don’t feel safe to go to work, school, or to even step out their doors.

On Wednesday, October 22, federal agents came into Little Village and attacked our community. I remember feeling so much anger. Seeing my community repeatedly be hurt and beaten into fear and submission was what made me realize something had to be done. I had asked my friend, co-organizer of the walkout Lilian Dominguez, if she would be willing to walk out with me, and she said she would. And from there we worked with a Latina run group, where we started spreading the word of the walkout to news sources, community members and organizations, and Aldermen Michael D. Rodriguez.

We wanted to be organized and safe so the community, the media and the city would take us seriously. 500 students, 89 community members and 25 businesses attended and supported the October 28 walkout. I never thought in a million years my voice would ever matter or make an impact. Thanks to the support of the community, we were able to spread our message of peace and unity not just in Little [Village] but in all of Chicago and Illinois. This is just the beginning of stopping this mass deportation in the country.

#ChicagoIL #IL #Opinion #Commentary #ImmigrantRights #HighSchool

Seattle, WA – On Wednesday, October 8, the Seattle Public School Board voted 5-2 to reject bringing cops into Garfield High School halls and classrooms. The school board was considering assigning a Seattle Police Department officer to Garfield High School for a one-year pilot program.

The Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression organized with Seattle students and parents to demand no cops in classrooms. This was in reference to part of the proposal which included cops teaching students in classrooms about multiple topics, including students’ “legal rights when engaging with law enforcement.”

At the board meeting, Garfield High School parents spoke up powerfully against the proposal. Emijah Smith, a Black mother and Garfield alumna, said, “Families appreciate having them [cops] on the campus and around but don’t bring them into school when you know we are working on the prison pipeline. You know that’s the cause that’s going to send our kids to prison.”

Amanda Thornewell shared how “the school leaders [used] the police to stop my son from talking about swim team hazing.” She added, “this was the message that my son received from the SRO [school resource officer] and the Garfield leaders: we want you to stop talking. It’s not in your best interest. You will be expelled.”

The Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression branch chair Johnathan Toledo stated, “I’m directly opposed to this SEO pilot program because, as it stands, it does not let students, faculty and parents have control of what officer will be selected, and it doesn’t let students, faculty and parents to decide whether they want to continue or terminate the program.”

Toledo uplifted the demand for community control of the police, stating, “Don’t use the death of Amarr Murphy-Paine as an excuse to put cops in schools in direct contact with students and not give the students, faculty and parents to have any control over what they can and can’t do.”

This vote came after months of organizing and advocacy by the Seattle Alliance, including collaborating with the progressive pro-education Keep Your Promise Coalition, which includes the Seattle Student Union and Seattle Education Association, the Garfield Black Student Union, and Garfield parents, including members of the Garfield PTSA and Garfield parent Arron Murphy-Paine.

The school board’s rejection of this policy is a major political defeat for pro-police Mayor Bruce Harrell and Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, both of whom strongly advocated for putting cops back into schools. In contrast with the limited scope of the proposal, Mayor Harrell has advocated for cops in up to four schools with as many as 15 officers.

In her comments before her vote, Board Director Michelle Sarju advocated for Black kids and said, “We are not standing on equal ground. [There is] too much data that says having a police officer in a school creates more disproportionality, not less.”

While Seattle still needs to increase investment in school staff and community organizations that are doing effective violence prevention and justice work, this vote was a positive step in the right direction and a victory for the Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression.

#SeattleWA #WA #InJusticeSystem #HighSchool #SAARPR

Seattle, WA – On Wednesday, September 17, the Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (SAARPR) hosted a rally with the demands of “No Cops in Classrooms! Community Control of the Police!” just before the meeting of the Seattle School Board at the Stanford Education Center. The board was set to deliberate on whether the pilot SEO – “Student Emphasis Officer,” comparable to “Student Resource Officer” — program would move forward at Garfield High School.

This was a program that had already been overwhelmingly rejected by 20,000 signatories in 2020 when a petition to get cops out of schools was organized by Black and brown organizers at FEEST, WA-BLOC, and Black Minds Matter. In 2020, the school board unanimously voted to remove cops in schools. The board at that time included current members Brandon Hersey and Liza Rankin.

There are significant reasons for students to feel unsafe with Seattle Police Department officers. As Rie Guerrero from Pierce County Immigration Alliance (PCIA) and a member of FRSO noted, “SPD had the highest-known number of police officers participate in the January 6, 2021 coup attempt of any police department in the nation, over even LAPD and NYPD,” adding, “the SPD has been under federal oversight since 2012 for using ‘unconstitutional force in one-fifth of all incidents’ which was only lifted last week.”

The Seattle Police Department has earned its federal oversight through many high-profile cases of police killings. Ray Mitchell from Seattle Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression stated, “These aren’t people we can trust around our kids, at least the way it is right now. We have no way as a community to trust that we have any control over what the police in this city do.”

The president of the Garfield Black Students Union noted, “It’s not safe to just have these officers on the grounds. In order to have them on the grounds, they have to be held to the utmost standards.”

Aaron Murphy-Paine, whose son Amarr Murphy-Paine was shot and killed outside Garfield High School while trying to break up a fight at lunchtime, spoke passionately to the need for centering of student perspective and voices, stating, “Who’s talking to [students] and asking what do they need? No one is asking them what they need. Everyone is making decisions for them as they see fit.”

Gesturing towards those gathered for the rally, Murphy-Paine said, “Us standing together here is letting them know that the community needs to be part of those decisions that are made by the police department, by the city of Seattle, by the Seattle School Board.”

Representatives from the Seattle Students Union (SSU) spoke to the issue of funding being diverted from schools to cops. Miles Hagopian from Franklin High School said, “Just as important as it is to get rid of police from schools, we need to replace those with people who care about students like mental health counselors, and academic support, and more funding in our schools. But the city, time and time again, refuses to pay up.” Here, he was speaking to the Families Education Preschool Promise (FEPP) levy, a $619 million package that was approved by voters in November 2018. The city of Seattle has failed to approve implementation for half that package.

Leo Palit-Baimonte, the president of SSU, also reiterated what many studies have shown: that having student resource officers on campus does not reduce gun violence or shootings. Increased SROs increased the number of drug and weapon-related offenses, as well as students funneled into the school-to-prison pipeline.

Continuing the story of diverted resources from earlier speakers, a speaker from Anakbayan South Seattle, a student organization focusing on demilitarizing schools said, “Students have been demanding culturally relevant education, but ethnic studies keep getting cut to balance the budget. With the new lunch schedule, students have to give up the time to run clubs, to celebrate culture, and build community. And after sacrificing all of this, what resources do our youth get in return? Heightened police presence, the threat of ICE raids, and more predatory military recruiters.”

Rilan Springer, a former student and now a graduate from Garfield High School, powerfully summed it up, stating, “We have not implemented anything for the students. The students have nothing to work with. It’s their voices that need to be heard, but it’s adults that need to support us, and that hasn’t been happening.” In contrast to the Seattle School Board’s proposed pilot program — which would place an armed officer in the classroom and would also require upturning an existing moratorium on weapons on campus — they made a clear distinction: “We want an SRO outside of the building, but we want community control over that SRO.”

At the Seattle School Board meeting that followed this rally, the board unanimously voted to postpone the School Engagement Officer pilot program and said they would call a special board meeting to discuss the idea.

What the communities impacted most by these decisions are demanding is clear: in order for there to be just solutions that center the safety and well-being of students, their voices need to be an essential part of the solution, including how resources are spent. With community control of the police, they will finally have agency over who is meant to be protecting them, and true accountability should they not measure up.

#SeattleWA #WA #InJusticeSystem #SAARPR #HighSchool

Tukwila, WA – On Wednesday, May 21, protesters rallied to Foster High School to disrupt a military academy ceremony. Congressional Representative Adam Smith was the host for the event. He was slated to personally hand out these endorsements to prospective military academy cadets, but, not for the first time, Smith failed to attend his own event, giving no notice to attendees. He had staffers play a video instead.

Organizers from Seattle Against War (SAW) teamed up with Veterans for Peace to infiltrate this event and make sure the real consequences of war were told. After a short video of Adam Smith, SAW members interrupted a speech by a West Point military officer with chanting and disruption. More speakers were scheduled, with an agenda spanning over an hour long, but the people’s voices prevailed, and the speakers did not finish their speeches. Instead, the event was shut down mid-program and the recruiters, event staff and attendees vacated the auditorium.

Victorious, the protesters took the stage and chanted anti-war slogans such as “Warmonger, war profiteer, we want you out of here,” and “Adam Smith, you can’t hide, you profit from genocide!” until the auditorium fully cleared out. The event, which was planned to run two hours in total, was shut down in 20 minutes by the overwhelming display of solidarity and anti-war enthusiasm.

Shane French from Veterans for Peace remarked, “Being in the military is just being a security guard for capitalism. Change one mind at a time. Planting seeds of doubt one at a time.” Students will remember that this war mongering did not go unopposed, and that there is an alternative.

Meredith Ruff from SAW stated, “I’ve been trained not to disrupt. Go through the proper channels, not make anyone uncomfortable. We need to escalate; our representatives haven’t been listening through proper channels. They have all been bought and I want them to know they can’t get away with it.”

Among the protesters were student youth as well, the targets of military recruitment efforts. Ena Laughlin, a student activist with SAW, said, “As a high school senior and lifelong South Seattle resident, I've seen firsthand how military recruiters exploit the economic concerns of low-income students and students of color. I feel a responsibility to encourage fellow students not to become cogs in the military industrial complex. I want my generation to step into their power by fighting against genocide, capitalism and the U.S. war machine.”

SAW successfully brought together generations of anti-war activists in a unified front to fight back against military recruitment. Until the wars of capitalist aggression and imperial domination cease, you can expect students, veterans, activists and concerned community members to stand up and fight back.

#TukwilaWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #Palestine #HighSchool

Chicago, IL – On Friday, May 2, more than 60 students, youth and allies from universities and high schools across Chicago rallied at Federal Plaza to speak out against recent attacks on the immigrant community, as well as visa revocations and deportations for protesting the genocide in Palestine. This was part of the Mayday Week of Action organized by the Coalition Against the Trump Agenda (CATA). Students and youth rallied around the slogans “Education, not deportation!” “ICE off campus and our communities!” and “Legalization for all!”

The student walkouts organized by the CATA consisted of speakers from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), DePaul University, Evanston Township High School, Columbia Chicago College and Association House Chicago High School.

“The next generation of fighters ready to fight back!”

A member of Students for a Democratic Society at DePaul University started off the protest, speaking about the genocide in Palestine, saying, “The bloody Biden administration laid the groundwork for and initiated a violent repression campaign to try to silence. Now, the racist Trump administration has taken up this campaign and accelerated it. Across the country, students are being brutalized by police, suspended, expelled, imprisoned, illegally detained and deported”

They talked about the continued repression the Palestine solidarity movement has faced since the student encampments last year at their university, stating, “But just as our suffering is the same, so too is our power. As students, we have immense power, and we build that power together like we have today. As long as there is struggle there is hope, and as long as we struggle together we cannot be defeated.”

Next, Alicia Riberio, a student at UIC and a member of Sanctuary For All stated, “The U.S.border was created through indigenous genocide. The first Border Patrol was born out of the KKK. Quote ‘national security interests’ are the basis for murders of the U.S. empire globally. Here, at home in Chicago, Sanctuary for All is fighting for the actual safety and belonging of our students at UIC today and into the future!”

Riberio continued, “We are here today to tighten our community, deepen our practice of solidarity, sharpen our political analysis, and fight for our collective demands! None of us are free until all of us are free!”

Matt Martirez from the Kabataan Alliance spoke of the enormous win of setting Filipino migrants held by ICE free achieved by the Alliance in collaboration with Tangol Migrante. Martirez states, “Taking a stand out here is hope. Whenever we march, every step has a purpose, to shake the ground beneath our feet and show the flaws in the foundation made to keep us down. Whenever we chant and call, it is a signal to the rest of the world that the people will keep fighting for what is right! As long as injustice reigns upon the world we will be there to object. As long as communities are under attack we will be there to organize. We will resist until victory! We will resist until liberation!”

Martirez then finished their speech with a call to action for their community, “We, the Filipino community, will continue to organize as Kabataan Alliance and Tangol Migrante to fight for our people’s safety and liberation. We call upon the Filipino youth to join us in our fight to defend migrants and migrant workers. Fight for your communities! Show the world that you will not be silenced!”

Adrian Gallegos of the New Students for a Democratic Society at UIC, whose student contingent had come to the protest right after a speak-out on their campus, stated, “With Trump’s continued attacks on our movements, it is more important than ever to fight back. And even though times may feel hopeless right now, I’m not giving up! I’m not giving up because I know we have the numbers on our side. I’m not giving up because when I look around this plaza today, I see the next generation of fighters ready to fight back! I’m not giving up because for every attack against one of our own, the moment comes back stronger.”

Next, Nadiah Alyafai from the Arab American Action Network (AAAN) touched on the travel bans secretly imposed by the racist Trump administration, stating, “We’ve seen the leaked travel ban, targeting 41 countries, rooted in anti-Arab and anti-Black racism. We then witness the president, the secretary of state, the head of homeland security, and others in this administration celebrate this cruelty on social media and when they mock tearing apart families, the disappearance of students to private immigration prisons, the stripping of legal permanent residents’ protections because of their political views, and weaponize immigration prisons against students and organizers, they send a chilling message. No one in our communities is safe!”

Alyafai ended her speech on a strong call for unity and solidarity, “And that is why we must unite because our struggles are connected. Whether it’s ICE raids, police violence, imperialist wars abroad, or economic exploitation at home, the systems harming us are one in the same. U.S. imperialism, capitalism and white supremacy, they must be dismantled!”

“Change can and will happen!”

The last speaker of the rally was Charlie Vazquez. He is a high school student and proud member of the Immigrant Rights Working Committee of the Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression (IRWC – CAARPR) who stated, “What the Trump administration is doing is spreading discriminatory lies to divide our country even more than it already is. Which is why I’m proud to be here and say that I’m part of this committee that is fighting so hard for the rights of immigrants.”

Vazquez ended their speech strongly with a hopeful fighting spirit, stating, “It feels so amazing; being here able to feel like I’m contributing towards change. Makes it seem like things can happen and that maybe it’ll all be different!”

Vazquez continued, “With support from both the youth and the older activists change can and will happen! Working together as a community and uniting against these attacks, our people will force them to hear our voices!”

#ChicagoIL #IL #StudentMovement #ImmigrantRights #HighSchool

Chicago, IL – In the Rogers Park neighborhood of Chicago, February 28, around 150 students walked out of Sullivan High School to protest against ICE. The students, with support of community groups, were able to have a successful walkout and add to the visible resistance in Chicago.

The Immigrants’ Rights Working Committee of the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (IRWC – CAARPR) played a big supporting role in this walkout, helping students with flyering-materials, posters, banners, megaphone, etc. The IRWC met the students outside, alongside other community groups like Rad Rogers Park, Kabataan Alliance, and New Students for a Democratic Society at the University of Illinois Chicago (New SDS at UIC).

“Let us live in peace”

“We will not let you take our families from us. We are now more united than ever. And we are here to resist!” said a senior at Sullivan High School, as they opened for the small rally in front of the building.

“How is this fair? How is any of this fair? Why can’t we pursue our education in peace? Why can’t we live without constant fear and anxiety?” a high school student asked the crowd, expressing the fear that they, and many students with immigrant family members, have since Donald Trump has taken office.

Next, a member of Kabataan Alliance spoke in solidarity with the students at Sullivan and of the fear that Filipino migrants are also feeling under these attacks, stating, “People are scared to say anything about being undocumented. There’s a lot of stigma. We really need to fight against that. It is not our fault that we are forced to migrate from our home countries.” With the United States’ military and economic intervention in the Philippines causing these migrations, there are around 300,000 to 1 million Filipino immigrants who are undocumented in the U.S.

”For the students here who marched out, I want you to know that was brave and what you’re doing right now is powerful. It is right to act in civil disobedience when injustice is happening!” said Gio Araujo from New SDS at UIC in support of the students. They talked briefly about the walkout the New SDS at UIC organized at their university, showing that students everywhere are protesting against ICE in their schools and campuses.

Araujo continued, “We at the New SDS, and right now the Sullivan students, are part of this big movement to build this visible resistance against the reactionary Trump agenda. For many of us, the next four years are gonna be more of this, more of building a movement against racism and reaction in this country.”

Finally, Angel Naranjo of the IRWC ended the rally stating, “This here is what we gotta be doing, resisting. Powerfully and visibly! We need to get more organized and mobilized. We need to ramp it up, we need to turn up the heat!”

Naranjo continued, “Let’s keep it up! Let’s build connections, get in contact, because this fight is not over, it’s only the beginning. From May 1st to May 5th in this city we are going to have a round of protests!” Naranjo hinted at the planned mass May Day demonstrations that the Coalition Against the Trump Agenda (CATA) and the Consejo de Resistencia en Defensa del Inmigrante are preparing for.

Youth under attack!

Chicago has seen the kidnapping of family members and parents of Chicano/Latino youth by ICE. The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have been targeted. Back on January 29, a man in the Little Village neighborhood was kidnapped by ICE, after he and his wife had dropped off their child at school. And most recently, February 26, even outside of CPS, a father was taken outside of the Soto High School/Idar Elementary charter schools.

These attacks on immigrant communities have caused fear, causing an attendance decrease of Chicano/Latino students in CPS schools. The most active young people have understood the need to mobilize and create a visible powerful resistance against these attacks. Break the wave of fear and anxiety with action and resistance. Immigrants and the youth are under attack, the students are ready to stand up and fight back!

#ChicagoIL #IL #StudentMovement #ImmigrantRights #HighSchool #SDS #NAARPR #IRWC #Feature

Los Angeles, CA — Over 200 Garfield High School students walked out this morning, February 4. Parents marched alongside their children, as the students energetically marched out of school.

Centro Community Service Organization (CSO) members met with the students and helped coordinate a safe route for them. They took to the historic Whittier Boulevard and are marching towards downtown.

Gabriel Quiroz Jr, a member of CSO, was on the bullhorn chanting, “Liberation not deportation!” and “¡Que vivan los estudiantes!”

Luis Sifuentes, another member of CSO, said, “It’s a new day when the students decide to walk out for their immigrant families. We saw this size of energy during Trump’s first administration, so we expect to see a lot more of this.”

Plans for CSO are to have a rally and march on Saturday, February 8, in Boyle Heights. If you are interested in attending, follow their social media @CentroCSO on X, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook or emailing them at CentroCSO@gmail.com.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #ImmigrantRights #HighSchool #CentroCSO #Trump

Los Angeles, CA – On the morning of May 28, over 100 Chicano students at Mendez High School walked out of their classes. Students were demanding that their school principal Mauro Bautista be brought back after mysteriously being removed for more than a month now from the school.

Starting at 9 a.m., the students walked out of their classes and marched along the front of the school, holding a banner that read, “Free Jefe!” After the march and coming back to school premises, the students refused to return to classes and staged a sit-in, where organizers read their demands and made speeches.

Their demands were clear:

Full transparency from Los Angeles Unified School District about the return and cause for our principal's absence, to all students, staff and parents.

A reinstatement of Mr. Bautista in time for graduation.

Mr. Bautista will sign the diplomas of the class of 2024.

No changes during Bautista’s period of absence, this includes any new policies, police in schools, random searches, removal of community partnerships, and any defunding.

Students, staff, and parents will receive a formal apology for the disservice to our education, in the disruption and dishonesty from the Los Angeles School District regarding Bautista's absence and the district’s lack of transparency.

The students also denounced the presence of LAPD school police on campus. Dozens of cars honked in support and gave water and snacks to the students. Other supporters joined their efforts from the sidewalk and on the other side of the school gates.

One parent, Jonathan Everhart, said, “I’m out here supporting my daughter who is a student here. Mr. Bautista is one of the best principals I have seen at LAUSD. He is from the community and his kids go to this school as well. Mr. Bautista has been a vocal advocate for his students, demanded no cops be allowed on campus and has been against searches of his students. He has also fought against budget cuts at his school and advocates against charter schools. Mendez students fear these are the reasons why he has been removed.”

Chants during the march and walkout included, “When students are under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!” “No Bautista! No students!” Posters throughout the march and picket included “Answers now!” “Speak up Ana Vega” and “We won’t be silenced until we get an answer!”

A member from Centro CSO, Gabriel Quiroz Jr, was present at the sit-in and had this to say, “I’m here to stand in solidarity with the students who are fighting for what they believe in and for a principal who has always had their backs. The fact that he wouldn’t allow LAPD on campus and wouldn’t allow searches of his students is commendable. It’s disgusting that the district would allow police to intimidate students who are peacefully protesting and rightfully angry at the lack of transparency. I’m very proud of the students who are fighting back!”

Mendez High students are hoping to win their demands in time for graduation, including that Principal Bautista to sign and hand them their school diplomas.

#LosAngelesCA #CA #StudentMovement #HighSchool #OppressedNationalities #ChicanoLatino #CentroCSO #Feature

Tacoma, WA – On March 20, about 50 people gathered in Tollefson Plaza for a protest in solidarity with Rafah organized by School Of The Arts Students For A Democratic Society (SOTA SDS). Through this action, the protesters stood in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance and demanded an end of U.S. aid to Israel.

The protest lasted for approximately 90 minutes. During the event, the crowd heard several speeches interspersed with chants. Gemini Gnull, a member of the Freedom Road Socialist Organization (FRSO), led the demonstrators in chants such as, “Yemen Yemen, make us proud! Turn another ship around!” and “What do we want? What do we really, really want? Justice!”

To start the rally, Xanat Romo, the co-founder of SOTA SDS, said, “Let me tell you this – they’re counting on us to forget about all this for the genocide to be successful. They’re counting on us to gradually get bored and give up on doing what’s right. But if we shut up, they get away with it, but I’ve never been very good at shutting up. I know it. You know it, too, right? I want them to know it.”

Following this, Mantak Singh, a member of UW Seattle Progressive Student Union, a chapter of New SDS, said, “ Our government provides billions of dollars in aid, our factories produce the bombs and bullets the IOF uses, and here in Tacoma, they even used the port to load up weapons to send on over. This is not a distant conflict. This is a genocide armed and financed right here, in the U.S.”

After another round of chants, Romo explained how he was inspired to start organizing after attending a disruption of city hall. After connecting with organizers there, she learned about how University of Puget Sound Students for a Democratic Society (UPS SDS) disrupted a speaking event of Derek Kilmer, a Zionist congressman, and how that further inspired him to start an SDS chapter before inviting Lauren Garelick, a member of UPS SDS, to speak.

As of now, UPS SDS is facing repression from their university administration with an ongoing investigation regarding the disruption of Kilmer’s speaking event. Regarding this repression, Garelick said, “In the aftermath, the administration has attempted to smear the protesters as ‘violent’ and ‘antisemitic’ and has threatened to dole out further punishment to student organizers as they continue to ‘investigate’ the action. They’ve left us with no doubt as to which side they stand on, but no matter what they do now, the action was a success. A genocidal politician’s lecture was shut down, and many young activists experienced the empowerment of direct action for the first time.”

Despite chilly conditions, the demonstrators kept high morale, using sidewalk chalk to draw a massive Palestine flag on the plaza, and waved home-made signs towards the road. Many cars honked in support while passing by. The rally concluded with more chanting, including “There is only one solution, Intifada revolution!” and “Free free Palestine!”

#TacomaWA #WA #AntiWarMovement #StudentMovement #International #MiddleEast #Palestine #HighSchool #SDS #UWPSU #UPSSDS #SOTASDS #FRSO