UPPER DARBY, Pa. (WPVI) — Hundreds of students at Upper Darby High School walked out of their classrooms Thursday afternoon to protest immigration enforcement and express support for classmates from immigrant families.
Students left the building at 12:30 p.m., saying they wanted to speak out against ICE and the fear they believe it creates in their diverse school community.
Upper Darby School District includes students with origins from more than 80 countries.
“We’re just gonna speak out because we choose peace. We choose people,” said senior Emma Kramer.
The demonstration was part of a wave of student-led walkouts held in cities across the country, from Indianapolis to Los Angeles.
The Upper Darby protest came two days after an ICE arrest in Phoenixville drew widespread attention. In that incident, two men from Guatemala were arrested. Video shows one of them being pulled out of a car as onlookers screamed.
Video showing what appears to be a confrontation involving suspected immigration agents in Phoenixville has sparked alarm among local advocates.
“This is the land of opportunity. And everybody have the opportunity to do their own thing,” said senior Dwayne Mills.
Organizers of the walkout said they wanted young people to control their own message.
“At the end of the day, the kids, they want to hear from kids. Because we matter! We make the school,” said junior Aniayah Pittman.
Before the walkout, school officials held a forum with the superintendent and the township’s police superintendent to ensure the event would be safe and that students felt supported.
In a statement, the district said in a statement to Action News, “Our students are beautifully diverse, and their feelings and voices are important to us.”
“To have their support, it meant everything to us,” Pittman said.
Township councilmembers also showed support, pointing to new legislation under consideration.
“It’s a resolution to establish a policy that we will not work with ICE in civil immigration enforcement,” said Councilmember Kyle McIntyre.
For many students, the issue is personal.
“I shouldn’t have to go home and worry if my parents are home,” said junior Jasmin Guerra.
Students said the walkout was their way of speaking up.
“We just want justice and peace,” Kramer said.
School officials said no students were disciplined for participating, and they returned to class afterward.
The council resolution limiting cooperation with ICE is expected to come up for a vote in the coming weeks.
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