‘Stand united.’ Students walk out of Tri-Cities high schools to protest ICE
Dozens of teens from across Pasco high schools walked out of class Friday afternoon to protest ICE and recent escalations in immigration enforcement.
They carried signs expressing support for immigrants and calling for abolishing ICE as they marched down Court Street. Some students chanted “F--k ICE.”
School leaders sent out guidance this week ahead of potential student protests across the Tri-Cities, warning that attendance and disciplinary action would still be in effect.
Pasco High sophomore Jesus Sanchez told the Tri-City Herald that he shared the idea of walking out on Thursday night. The protest was part of a national call for students to walk out of class and join efforts advocating for immigrants.
It was important for Sanchez for the community to come together to address the hardships created by the current harsh enforcement of immigration laws.
“I was just tired of seeing people trying to put fear into our city,” Sanchez said. “I just felt it wasn’t right for parents (to have to) sit down and to be like, ‘Well, if ICE comes one day.’ ... It’s important for us to demonstrate our rights as people and as a community.”
About 100 students across Pasco, Chiawana, Sageview and Delta high schools gathered on Court Street about noon and began marching east across the Highway 395 overpass and ending near the intersection with North 22nd Avenue.
Several students expressed frustration at the government agency that has detained or arrested family and friends.
While there have not been widespread ICE raids in the Tri-Cities area, there have been several documented cases of deportations. Those include the owner of a Kennewick food truck who was in the process of obtaining citizenship and a Pasco father on his way to work.
Downtown Pasco business owners previously told the Herald that they also have taken a hit as shopping dwindled with customers afraid of being harassed or detained based on their perceived immigration status.
Gabriela Ramos, a senior, said she was protesting for her people, saying that immigrants have laid the foundation for the economy.
“I think it’s important right now for younger kids to really speak out for stuff like this,” she said.
Genesis Pacheco, echoed the calls of the other students.
“I just wanted to say, ‘To be honest, nobody is illegal here, especially because this is stolen land from Native Americans,’” she said. “We’ve got to stand united, fight for our people, spread awareness.”
