In defense of student walkout protests against ICE

Teachers crowded together on an elevated concrete planter to watch as about 250 of our students began walking out of school. The students intended to join with other high schools’ anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement walkouts and march to Van Nuys City Hall — about a five-mile walk from our high school. 

Administrators and campus security were there, but nobody tried to stop the students from walking out. We were told that the Los Angeles Unified School District had ordered some of its downtown people to follow student groups in cars to keep an eye on them.  

One of those who walked out was Roberto, a senior whose father was deported in November. There is little room for protest in his life, as he works to support his family while trying to stay on track to graduate. He texted me, “Yo sacks I will be out, exercising my first amendment rights, respect your class mucho, I apologize for not being able to go.” 

I would have preferred for him to stay for class, but I didn’t argue. I couldn’t argue. 

We were relieved that the photos students were sending us along the way indicated a peaceful march. Some student protesters were annoyed at a few who, under the pretense of protesting, simply went home to play video games.  

I sat in the middle of a class of juniors, half of whom were gone, to discuss what was happening. Many of them had a story about a parent, an aunt, an uncle or a grandparent — hard-working immigrants, struggling to support children here........

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