As people, we have the power to create change. If we band together under a common cause, we can push for reform. That is exactly what happened on Friday, January 30 when thousands of high school and middle school students across the Bay Area staged walkouts to protest the recent actions of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to show their support for the immigrant community.
These demonstrations were sparked by recent events in Minneapolis, Minnesota, including the fatal shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti and the detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos – who has since been reunited with his family and has been granted a continuance in the family’s asylum case.
Before the walkout, students on NDB’s Coalition for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) and others organized a nonpartisan gathering in front of the school building. The event was held in solidarity with what has been happening in Minnesota. Students shared information about Good and Pretti, said prayers followed by a moment of silence and distributed pamphlets with resources and volunteer opportunities.
More than 70 students participated in the event. They contributed to a “Wall of Humanity,” sharing what dignity means to them on sticky notes. The event concluded with a student-led “walk-in” around campus.
“I think right now, because things are so polarized, people are still trying to figure out their own opinions,” shared senior Claire Nguyen. “Like they’re trying to be – I don’t want to [say] like, on the right side of history. Their history, maybe. And, they want to look back on this time and reflect on their actions and make sure that what they were feeling in the moment was properly expressed.”
Around lunchtime, students from Design Tech HS, Carlmont HS and NDB marched off campus toward the Belmont Caltrain station and city hall. The efforts were organized by students who connected through social media.
Meanwhile, students from Abbott MS, Aragon HS, Burlingame HS, Hillsdale HS and San Mateo HS made their way to Central Park in San Mateo. Hillsdale parents contributed the walkout by hosting food and water stands on the way to the location.
“I think it really shows the Bay Area community in a very good light,” explained D-Tech HS junior Ainsley Hill. “We really just, like said, ‘If you want to come, come,’ and we got so many people involved just by telling them where to come and to wear black and to have posters. And, they all did it all by themselves.” She was one of the lead organizers of their school’s walkout.
During the protests, students were seen holding a variety of handmade posters with some chanting anti-ICE statements. Local law enforcement was present, safeguarding students as they obeyed traffic laws and kept the protest peaceful.
The First Amendment allows Americans to protest, calling for public officials to actually serve the people. While one voice can be ignored, collective action forces attention and drives change. When students unite, they build community and see that standing in solidarity can create real impact.
Some students felt optimistic about the demonstrations.
“[T]here’s hope in the generation for more opportunities and more … speaking out about the issues about this country,” said Carlmont HS senior Leiane Moala.
Generation Z is the future, and the world they inherit depends on actions they take today. When their voices are ignored, unity becomes power. Together, they can demand change and shape a society that reflects their vision.
