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Over 200 high school students walked out of school on Tuesday morning in protest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the Bay Area.
Draped in Mexican flags, student organizers from the Sequoia Union High School District and Midpeninsula School in Menlo Park chanted into a megaphone, “La gente unida jamás será vencida,” their voices echoing among their peers in the streets of downtown Redwood City.
The Spanish phrase translates to “The people united will never be defeated.”
“We were hearing about the 45-day crackdown and we’ve seen communities being affected around (East Palo Alto) and Redwood City and we’re tired of it,” said Nephertytie, a student organizer at Menlo-Atherton High School. “No matter how many times we do this, we’re going to be the voice for our people again and again.”
In October, multiple news outlets reported on a 45-day enforcement operation allegedly called “Operation Sage California” by ICE. In recent weeks, San Mateo County has seen a spike in targeted ICE arrests in East Palo Alto, San Mateo, San Carlos and Half Moon Bay. In Redwood City, two people were arrested a short distance from the city’s Dia de los Muertos event.
On the morning of Nov. 10, ICE made five arrests between 6-11 a.m., according to Faith in Action Bay Area, a nonprofit that has been active in tracking ICE activity and offering support to affected communities.
High school students in the Midpeninsula cross train tracks as they participate in a school walkout against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the Bay Area on Nov. 10 in Redwood City. Courtesy Henry Lucianovic. 
A high school student waves a Mexican flag out of a car window during a student protest against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the Bay Area on Nov. 10 in Redwood City. Courtesy High school students in the Midpeninsula participate in a school walkout against ICE activity in the Bay Area on Nov. 10 in Redwood City. Courtesy Henry Lucianovic. 
High school students in the Midpeninsula participate in a school walkout against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in the Bay Area on Nov. 10 in Redwood City. Courtesy Henry Lucianovic.
Some students at the walk out said they are frightened by the recent arrests but that they are willing to speak up for those at risk of being detained and vowed to protect their peers and community.
“It’s a little scary because we never know what the status of a student can be, but we tell them if they’re at risk, to stay home, that we will be your voice for you,” said Nephertytie.
Sequoia High School senior Bea said when her father was her age, he and his family members were detained by ICE after immigrating to the U.S. from South Africa. Bea said she’s proud to be able to fight for something she and her family have a personal connection to.
Students carried signs that said “No one is illegal on stolen land,” “We are not criminals, we are dreamers,” as they marched toward Jefferson Avenue from the courtyard in front of the Hall of Justice and Records in Redwood City.
Alejandra, sophomore at Sequoia High, said she was honored to be around so many people during the walkout.
“It feels amazing to see that many young people now are coming out to show how serious this is to them,” said Alejandra. “They care so much and they’re risking their education to come out here and show their support.”
She called for other local youth to speak up to drive change. Alejandra said she hopes to get ICE off of her street and out of the Bay Area.
