Chants of \u201cNo more ICE\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep ICE OUT,\u201d\u00a0 Melt ICE,\u201d \u201cWe fight for those who can\u2019t\u201d and \u201cNo one is illegal on stolen land,\u201d were among the slogans on signs they held up. Others held Puerto Rican or Mexican flags.<\/p>\n
\u201cSay her name: Renee Good,\u201d some students chanted, referring to the woman killed by a federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis in early January.<\/p>\n
Nyalisa Rodriguez, one of the student organizers, said she felt compelled to speak out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe felt we needed to do something to prevent it,\u201d she said, referring to the possibility of immigration enforcement operations in the city.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHonestly I feel very comforted that we are all together,\u201d Rodriguez said.<\/p>\n
The crowd dwindled over time, but the remaining students continued to different parts of Allentown. Some residents cheered them as they continued on.<\/p>\n
Organizers announced plans for the walkout earlier in the week on social media.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe 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,\u201d the district said. \u201cWe encourage students to do so in constructive, respectful, and appropriate ways that do not disrupt instructional time or compromise safety.\u201d<\/p>\n
As word of the planned walkout spread, it attracted more than Allen students.<\/p>\n
Northampton Community College student Melissa Cruz, of Easton, held up a sign that read, \u201cOur resistance will persevere. ICE OUT.\u201d She said she heard about the walkout and decided to come to Allentown to join the high school students.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe unity in it is very beautiful,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/a><\/p>\n