- Students walked out of school on Monday morning to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- The group walked to Cupertino City Hall, where they protested for about 25 minutes.
- Demonstrators led chants such as “No one’s illegal on stolen land,” “Immigrants run America” and “Every city, every town, f—k ICE, shut it down.”
Hundreds of students participated in a walkout on Monday, Feb. 2, in protest against U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, joining a larger wave of demonstrations in Bay Area high schools that spoke up against recent deaths, arrests and raids amid a federal crackdown on immigration. The group met in front of campus at the beginning of second period, with many students bringing handmade cardboard signs. Starting on Donington Drive, students completed a round trip of almost 6 miles to Cupertino City Hall and back, returning to school during fourth period.
In organizing the walkout, junior Yaebin Kim said she aimed to spread awareness about ICE and wanted students to see the impact of advocacy, both on themselves and others. Kim first publicized the event on her TikTok account to more than 220,000 followers. She then posted on Instagram and handed flyers around campus, earning more support from peers.
“A lot of people started reposting on Instagram,” Kim said. “I would go up during brunch or lunch with flyers to talk to tons of people. Eventually I would have to say, ‘take it, take it’ so they would listen.”
Protesters chanted “No one’s illegal on stolen land,” “Immigrants run America” and “Every city, every town, f—k ICE, shut it down.” The demonstration gained support from many local community members, with passing vehicles honking in solidarity and setting off cheers from students in the crowd.
“We’re a really privileged community, and so we don’t have a firsthand experience of a lot of the things that are happening with ICE,” sophomore and protester Charu Arvind said. “But I think it’s really cool that this many people acknowledge their privilege, and they’re deciding to use that in order to stand up for what is right.”
Spurred by the recent fatal shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti by federal immigration agents in Minnesota, some protesters shouted “Remember Renée Good” as they marched down Bollinger Road toward city hall. Others said they were standing up to the increasing presence of ICE agents near school grounds.
“My parents are immigrants, and for a lot of people in this area, their parents are also immigrants, or they themselves are immigrants,” freshman and protester Samantha Jiang said. “I just think it’s unfair how some girls my age have to worry about being sent to another country that they are not familiar with, while I get to sit here and have an education and go outside without any fear.”
In front of City Hall, Kim led chants of “We demand change” and “ICE out.” The group remained at city hall for about 25 minutes before returning down De Anza Boulevard to maximize visibility.
“I think it’s for a really good cause because ICE is not doing what they said they were gonna do,” freshman and protester Steve Pelayo said. “They were supposed to do this peacefully, but we ended up with dead people like Renee Good, so I think this is our little part of spreading awareness about it.”
Fremont High School seniors Sade Miller and Mark Moretti joined the walkout as well. Miller and Moretti said they were concerned about the qualifications of federal immigration agents.
“However you feel about illegal immigrants, whether they’re here rightfully so or not, the ICE agents don’t even care,” Miller said. “They’re just taking people; it’s genuine kidnapping. It’s murder.”
Superintendent Graham Clark, Principal Janice Chen, Assistant Principals Tara Grande and Yukari Salazar and three school site supervisors were present to monitor the students’ safety.
“I’m so glad,” Kim said. “I was estimating 10, 15 people would show up. But my expectations were blown out. I am so thankful for all of y’all. It warmed my heart a lot.”
