PEORIA, Ill.—Students of Richwoods High School (RHS) cut school short on Friday, Feb. 13, walking out in protest of violent and illegal enforcement raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“I don’t want my parents to get deported,” said Elena, a student at RHS. “I don’t know what to do. I’m scared.”
Part of a growing nationwide movement of students protesting ICE, RHS students joined thousands of other high schoolers across the country in taking action. Primarily organized by an anonymous Instagram page, @rhs.against.ice, students left their 4th hour class without a plan to return. Instead, they held a protest outside the school and marched a mile down one of Peoria’s main streets.
“We’re protesting ICE because people are getting deported, even if they’re legally here,” said Adriana, an RHS student. “Everyone is deserving of America.”
As they marched, students held signs saying “Immigrants Built America,” “No Decent Person has a [heart] of ICE,” “Fuck ICE,” and more. Several students held a large full-sized Mexican flag. They shouted and chanted as numerous cars honked in support. One vehicle flew the Puerto Rican flag as well.
“I love how everybody’s brave enough to come outside and show them our voices,” Abri, an RHS student, told People’s World. “We’re not afraid to speak up.”
Students are not the only ones in the nation’s schools challenging ICE.
The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the union that represents RHS teachers, are taking legal action to stop ICE from terrorizing communities in an Oregon federal court.
Last year, the unions filed a federal lawsuit for the restoration of protections for sensitive locations, such as schools, against ICE agents. Now, the unions are filing an emergency motion to demand immediate relief.
“ICE’s mere presence near schools terrorizes students and disrupts educators’ teaching,” said Becky Pringle, president of the NEA. “Fear and cruelty have no place there.”
Although increased ICE raids have not yet been conducted in Peoria, those in the area are concerned for the safety of their neighbors. Just last month, Peoria community leaders called on city council to prepare a plan to keep all residents safe.
Friday’s student walk out adds additional pressure to leaders in the community. Several other Peoria organizations were also in attendance to show solidarity with the students, including 50501, the Peoria Club of the Communist Party USA, and the Universalist Unitarian (UU) Church.
Jennifer Innis, a minister with the UU Church and parent of a Richwoods student, showed her support for the action. “I’m out here as a supportive parent but also as an observer, to see how the leadership authorities manage the experience,” Innis said.
“I think it’s important that our students be encouraged to speak up to protest against injustice as they are understanding it,” Innis said. “And they are about to be voters. They are engaged with the world, and we need to encourage their ability and choice to be able to do so.”
Along with students in Peoria, schools from around the area are also getting involved. Dunlap High School students hosted a protest after their half-day of school on Friday, and Metamora Township High School students are planning to walk out on Feb. 27.
Following the RHS walk out, the anonymous student organizer posted this on the Instagram page: “Viva la Mexico, fuck ICE, and as Bad Bunny said ‘the only thing more powerful than hate is love.’”
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