By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
Hundreds of students from schools across the Seattle Public School district walked out of classes today and gathered at the corner of Fourth Avenue and James Street in front of City Hall. With signs raised, horns blowing, whistles sounding and voices unified, students protested against the Trump administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, demanding justice for immigrant communities and calling for the agency to be dismantled.
Students from Garfield, Lakeside, Rainier Beach and Blanchet high schools, along with others throughout the district, filled the streets in a coordinated demonstration. The action was part of a citywide walkout organized by Ice Out Seattle Schools. At Garfield, the event was led by GHS United Nations, a student coalition representing clubs and communities across backgrounds. The rally at City Hall followed two earlier walkouts, one of which was also coordinated by GHS UN.
Spurred by recent events in Minneapolis, student organizers said the walkout aimed to pressure elected officials to defund ICE and to show immigrant classmates that they are not alone.
According to Garfield High School senior Kian Naeemi, the effort goes beyond protest and into direct support.
“This demonstration is paired with action,” said Naeemi. “For example, students are working to materially support Garfield’s large immigrant community, collecting food for Fundación Corazon, so that Garfield’s large immigrant community is materially supported.”
City Councilmember Robert Kettle attended the protest in support. Kettle said the action taken by students was not only courageous but critical in affirming the basic rights and safety of young people throughout Seattle.
“I think it’s important for our students to feel safe, whether it’s related to issues that are impacting our community from federal law enforcement, but even in our streets and our bus stops,” said Kettle. “That we saw last week, with the killing of two students. You know, I think we have to do better for our city to ensure that we have that safe base in our city to include for our students.”
Charlotte, a junior at Blanchet High School, described the protest as a moral imperative.
“I think that looking back years from now, just the idea of not doing anything or standing up for people, when we have the opportunity, we have the rights to stand up for people who can’t,” said Charlotte. “I think the idea of not doing that and not taking that opportunity, it makes me feel sick. So, um, yeah, just, like, do whatever you can, in whatever way you can, because otherwise you regret it for rest of your life.”
The protest reflects growing anger across the country at ICE’s continued presence in major cities, allegations of due process violations, and the killing of American citizens. As mass demonstrations continue nationwide, student voices in Seattle added to the chorus demanding change.
“This is a subject that has always been important to me,” said Isabella, a junior at Blanchet High School. “People are seen as aliens, and nobody is ever illegal on land that has been stolen right out from under them. Our rights are not to be violated, and right now, people’s rights are being violated. People don’t even feel safe in their own homes. People are worried about their kids being taken from them.”
“I mean a five-year-old was taken from his home. That should never happen. A five-year-old is not a threat,” said Isabella. “That should never happen in this world. This is a world where people should coexist, and where we should all work together and to make sure that each and every one of our family members and all of our friends should feel safe.”
Steve, a retiree who joined the crowd at City Hall, said the demonstration gave him hope.
“We just have to stop this reign of terror that’s going on all over the country, you know. People shouldn’t be discriminating against based on where they were born. It’s another form of racism. We’re against it,” said Steve. “But from what I see, I think this is fantastic. It’s very encouraging. I’m very excited about it.”
Maya, a senior at Rainier Beach High School, emphasized the power of public demonstrations to build unity and awareness.
“I think events like this are important because one, they show community,” said Maya. “They show that we’re all here and we care and this is important, whether you’re white, Black, Hispanic, whatever, this shows that you care and you want ICE gone and I think that that’s really important. It sends a message. People out here, seeing cars driving by, people see flyers. I think it’s just important to bring awareness and to bring the community together for things like this.”
