Last Friday during lunch, students led a walkout as a response to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This was the most recent in a series of four walkouts, with additional demonstrations held February 2, January 30, and February of last year. 

While the February 2 walkout was deemed successful by many, this recent attempt was seen by observers as unfocused and lacking organization. With some noting the frequency might cause the walkouts to lose their impact.

“I don’t think the walk-out is going to do anything. Especially since we’re doing it almost every single week. It’s just so many and I don’t see the point. But I do hope that it will benefit people’s opinion on ICE,” said Maria, a participant.

When third period ended, students made their way to the front office gate as a Stockton Unified officer opened the door and redirected them to prevent crowding. 

Students brought out posters and flags and carried them as they began their walk to San Joaquin Delta College. 

While the main group of protesters walked toward Delta College, some students chose to take advantage of the situation and skip, as seen by reporters going the opposite way. The separation led to a gap and caused confusion on where to go.

When students arrived at their destination, they gathered along the edge of the grass and held out their posters and flags, raising them high to cars driving by.

But by then the crowd was small and the people who were left stood still while looking around. There were even a few students who were observed throwing a football to each other in the back behind the few people who were actively protesting.

And when it seemed like action was dying down, more people would walk off to the mall or other directions with the organizers deciding to do the same.

Maria shared that she felt what others were doing didn’t help the purpose and left a bad impression.

The walkout was planned by the same organizer from February 2, who goes by the initials J.G. to avoid being identified. 

“I plan these walkouts to show we care,” said J.G. in an interview at Friday’s protest. “We care about all the children, all the people that are being taken.”

OUTSIDE INFORMATION AND SUPPORT 

According to TRAC Immigration as of January 25, 70,766 cases detained by ICE have been arrested and are in detention. Out of those cases, 74.2% have no criminal conviction and those who are only have minor offenses. 

Social media plays an important role in communication with others and spreading the news outward. It allows people to connect with one another and share their feelings no matter if it affects them personally or not. 

“I make a post on Instagram. Then I tag a bunch of people and they repost it on their stories. And then everyone gets to know about it,” said J.G.

Throughout the walk and at Delta College, cars would honk and students reacted with shouts and cheers. Since walkouts and protests have started, honking has become a sign to show agreement and support when people can’t physically participate.

“ICE is doing very wrong in our community and in our county, everywhere actually. They’re affecting everybody’s families. They’re causing trouble where it shouldn’t be caused, like innocent people are being dragged out of their homes,” said Maria.

A participant with the initials E.M. said that while they neither support nor hate ICE, they denounce the violence ICE has brought upon innocent people. “People don’t deserve to get tear gassed on and it’s absolutely unnecessary for the amount of violence it brings.”

And Stagg students aren’t the only ones to stand up against ICE. In the Stockton Unified School District, high schools including Lincoln, Franklin, Edison, and Cesar Chavez organized their own walkouts on Friday, January 30.

Students at Lincoln and Edison made their way from school to Delta College, Franklin students traveled along Fremont street, and Cesar Chavez protested along the streets surrounding their school.

Patron Angulo, a student at Cesar Chavez participated in the walkout on Friday to protest the treatment of his community. “It’s unjust the amount of work my people put in and the time they give to the community just to be handled like some animals.”

“I hope the walkouts achieve an understanding of our situation and I hope it’s a way for more people to understand how serious it is,” said Angulo.

Stagg Online will continue to cover walkouts and protests against ICE and provide the latest information with insight from students and observers regarding what happens.