On Friday, Jan. 30, Fresno High students participated in a protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in which they walked off campus during the second half of the school day. After the lunch bell rang, students were quick to storm through the open parking lot gates. This plan was fueled by the anti-ICE national shutdown protest, which encouraged Americans to skip school and work, and avoid making purchases.
Students heard about the proposal to hold a protest through Instagram stories just the night before it occurred. Due to the rapid promotion of the event, Fresno Unified School District leaders released a statement warning students that if they participated, their attendance would not be excused.
Students spoke out against this statement on social media the same night, claiming that the district is ignorant and that they are doing a poor job approaching the situation.
“The district is very predictable with how they handle these issues,” said student protestor Syd Patterson. “It’s ridiculous.”
Despite the discouragement that students were feeling, the protest led to about 300 students walking out, according to The Fresno Bee. Many students created signs for the protest during their school day and made up their own chants as they walked down Weldon Street to Fresno City College, marching through Tower District and eventually to downtown Fresno.
Students overall received a lot of support and endorsement from community members and small businesses, from cars honking their horns to people cheering along. Although students were proud of their decision to protest, many are still worried about the future of Fresno Unified and are hoping that they will choose to stand up for what’s right.
“I believe the district should and will let us be heard,” said student advocate Angelina Flores.
