AUSTIN, Texas — The shooting of a 28-year-old Venezuelan man by an ICE agent in North Austin is prompting protests and demonstrations across Central Texas.
The Department of Homeland Security said Wilber Garcés Pérez was in the country illegally. Authorities said the shooting happened after an initial traffic stop and a vehicle pursuit.
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Friday, students at Anderson High School walked out of class, saying they wanted to speak out about immigration enforcement and show support for people in their community.
Students walked out of Anderson High School Friday afternoon, saying they wanted to make their voices heard.
Friday afternoon, dozens of students at Anderson High School took part in a walkout, just days after an ICE agent shot Wilber Garcés Pérez in North Austin. (CBS Austin/Teddy Medina)
They told CBS Austin this was about more than leaving class; it was about standing up for issues affecting people in their community.
“It’s important to show that we actually care about these issues,” Anderson High School senior Belle Robinson said. “A lot of people think, ‘Oh, young people don’t care. Young people just aren’t aware of what’s going on.’ We are aware of what’s going on, and we want to fight to have this change be made.”
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Friday afternoon, dozens of students at Anderson High School took part in a walkout, just days after an ICE agent shot Wilber Garcés Pérez in North Austin.
The Department of Homeland Security said the Venezuelan man was in the country illegally.
The shooting of a 28-year-old Venezuelan man by an ICE agent in North Austin is prompting protests and demonstrations across Central Texas. (CBS Austin/Teddy Medina)
Students told us the demonstration was focused on immigration enforcement and showing support for people in their community.
“We’re all the same,” Anderson High School senior Roman Saldana said. “We’re the same no matter what, no matter our skin color, no matter where we came from; we are all people and that’s the whole entire point is that we are people, we all are here.”
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One parent whose son took part said she was proud to see students getting involved.
“I’m proud of all of these kids,” Anderson High School parent Daphne Hoffacker said. “We talk about parents wanting rigorous education for our kids, but this is the most rigorous education that our children could have.”
Students told us the demonstration was focused on immigration enforcement and showing support for people in their community. (CBS Austin/Teddy Medina)
For the students, the walkout was also about encouraging other young people to stay informed and to participate in elections when they’re eligible.
They said even those who aren’t old enough to vote can still pay attention and speak up about issues that matter to them.
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“People think that their small voice, in the grand scheme of things, isn’t going to mean anything,” Saldana said. “But when you go out there, when you put your vote in, when you go to the ballot box, you’re making a change. No matter how small you feel you are, we’re America.”
Students and parents we spoke with said they hope this walkout encourages more young people to pay attention, stay informed, and get involved in the issues affecting their community.