Chants of “No more ICE” could be heard throughout downtown Allentown on Thursday afternoon after Allen High School students walked out of school to protest the federal immigration enforcement agency.
More than 100 students, many of whom held signs with anti-ICE slogans, left school just after noon and marched more than 1.5 miles, first to Allentown Public Library and later to the corner of Seventh and Hamilton streets, outside PPL Center. They then marched down Hamilton Street, passing by the Lehigh County Courthouse and City Hall to voice their concerns.
“Keep ICE OUT,” Melt ICE,” “We fight for those who can’t” and “No one is illegal on stolen land,” were among the slogans on signs they held up. Others held Puerto Rican or Mexican flags.
“Say her name: Renee Good,” some students chanted, referring to the woman killed by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis in early January.
Nyalisa Rodriguez, one of the student organizers, said she felt compelled to speak out.
“We felt we needed to do something to prevent it,” she said, referring to the possibility of immigration enforcement operations in the city.
Rodriguez said she was not expecting the turnout, and was appreciative of the students and others who showed. A number of adults, including representatives from Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley, were on hand. Many passers-by honked their cars in support.
“Honestly I feel very comforted that we are all together,” Rodriguez said.
The crowd dwindled over time, but the remaining students continued to different parts of Allentown. Some residents cheered them as they continued on.
Organizers announced plans for the walkout earlier in the week on social media.
It is not immediately clear if students will face any disciplinary action for leaving school. Allentown School District had no comment on the walkout. However, in a message sent to families earlier in the week, it warned parents that leaving class without permission constituted an unexcused absence.
“We recognize that members of our learning community may have strong feelings about current events affecting our nation, and we value their desire to express their perspectives,” the district said. “We encourage students to do so in constructive, respectful, and appropriate ways that do not disrupt instructional time or compromise safety.”
As word of the planned walkout spread, it attracted more than Allen students.
Northampton Community College student Melissa Cruz, of Easton, held up a sign that read, “Our resistance will persevere. ICE OUT.” She said she heard about the walkout and decided to come to Allentown to join the high school students.
“The unity in it is very beautiful,” she said.
A number of school students nationwide have been involved in walkouts protesting ICE. Last week, students at some schools in Montgomery County held walkouts, according to a report from 6ABC.
Other student walkouts were held Thursday across Bucks and Montgomery counties, days after video surfaced of an apparent immigration raid in Eagleville, according to a report from the Bucks County Courier Times.