Just before 10 a.m. on Jan 13, more than 100 students walked out of Everett High School (EHS) in a peaceful protest against ICE and its treatment of immigrants.
The walkout was partly motivated by the recent fatal shooting of 37-year-old Minneapolis resident Renee Good by Jonathan Ross, an ICE agent, on Jan 7. This incident has sparked outrage and renewed debate about the agency’s use of force and accountability.
The students marched through downtown Everett to the Snohomish County Superior Courthouse, holding handmade signs and chanting slogans, such as, “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcomed here.”
Students stated the walkout was intended to bring awareness to fellow students,
“I’m hoping the effects of the protest can try to get ICE out or bring awareness that the teens around my age will speak up and that a change will happen.” Liliana Peña Erazo, a junior at EHS, said.
“For me, it was from when ICE shot Renee Good on Jan. 7, and for my family and the hate that my family had faced for years,” Erazo said about her reasons for participating in the walkout. “I felt like it was the time for me to speak up and say what I wanted to say for years.”
Another student, Jordan Rock, described his personal connection to the issue, “I am here because my friend’s dad was taken away,” he said. “I am the descendant of German immigrants and this is not ok. They are killing people.”
Senior Cynthia Espinoza echoed that statement, “I am here because I am a child of immigrants and I am afraid for myself and for my family. America needs to see that we were built on immigrants. I just want my people to be safe.”
Other EHS students highlighted the human toll they see in their own communities. “I have people in my life that are immigrants and they are taking them away,” Ashton Simon said. Calo Necalli added, “I am here because they are taking my people away.”
Similarly, walkouts took place at several other schools across Washington State, including Cascade Middle School, Lewis and Clark, North Central, Rogers, Fort Vancouver, Skyview, Columbia River, Hudson’s Bay, Union, Evergreen, Henrietta Lacks and Spokane High schools. At each location, participants voiced concerns about ICE’s expanding operations and recent high-profile incidents involving the agency.
