More students and workers walked out across the Bay Area Friday as part of a nationwide “ICE Out” protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Organizers called Friday’s demonstrations a “national day of action” in solidarity with Minnesota, which has become the epicenter of federal immigration operations following the deadly shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Organizers said the nationwide rally would include hundreds of organizations and students groups, with walkouts planned across several Bay Area high schools. Organizers encouraged people not to go to work or school and not to spend any money.
Protests and rallies across San Francisco and the Peninsula
In San Francisco, thousands of demonstrators gathered at Dolores Park before making their way to City Hall. They carried signs with the names of Pretti and Good, along with messages of solidarity with the immigrant community.
“It’s just absolutely ridiculous what’s happening now,” one demonstrator said. “So un-American, so anti-everything that we’ve grown up with.”
Many at the protest were high school and college students looking to make a collective impact.
“I believe that the only way we’re going to stop this is if every day people come out to say they’re not going to stand for this terror,” said Brian Yan, a San Francisco State University student.
On top of protesting in the streets, many were also demonstrating by not going to school, not going to work and not going shopping.
The largest walk out Friday in the Bay Area happened in San Francisco, where what appeared to be tens of thousands of people took to the streets many of them students to protest federal agents’ presence in Minneapolis. Alyssa Goard reports.
On the Peninsula, students from several schools met up at San Mateo Central Park.
“We want to make it very clear that the students of the Bay Area, the Peninsula, San Mateo, that we see what’s happening and we care and we stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters,” one student said.
In San Francisco and on the Peninsula, thousands of people marched and rallied in protest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Christie Smith reports.
South Bay students condemn ICE enforcement operations
Students at Evergreen High School on the east side of San Jose expressed that they want ICE out of their community and walked out Friday morning, chanting, cheering and carrying signs to protest immigration enforcement in the country.
Students from Silver Creek also walked off campus to protest ICE on the streets.
The demonstrations were loud, but peaceful, as students Friday and throughout the week have added their collective voice against ICE activities here and other places including Minnesota.
One student organizer spoke about the protests at a news conference put on by school educators.
“We are the youth and we are the future. So now, more than ever, we just rise and make our voices heard,” Jonathan, the student, said. “To the school board members that stand in solidarity: Thank you. And to those who don’t: it’s now or never.”
Many school district leaders say educators and students need to keep sounding the alarm because the impact has started. The group also wants the public to know there are resources available.
Students from Silver Creek walked off campus to protest ICE on the streets Friday. Robert Handa reports.
Dueling student demonstrations in Danville
At San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, students who oppose the immigration crackdown and students who support ICE both walked out of class.
Most of the students who walked out said they’re protesting the mass deployment of immigration agents and the increasingly aggressive tactics they’re using.
“This is so important because everything that’s going on in the world right now, specifically with deportations and killing of United States citizens,” Kyla Fogelman said.
A much smaller group of pro-ICE students walked out to show their support for federal agents.
“I just think we have to stand for our federal law enforcement and stand for our laws,” Andy Sacksteder said.
The school district’s superintendent said staff members monitored the situation closely and noted that both demonstrations remained peaceful.
At San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, students who oppose the immigration crackdown and students who support ICE both walked out of class. Jodi Hernandez reports.