Hundreds of Montgomery Blair High School students walked out of their classes at noon today “to protest the senseless arrest and deportation of their classmate, neighbor, and friend,” according to a statement by the group Fair at Blair.
According to one of the leaders of the group, a female junior at the Silver Spring high school was taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently, but not while she was on school grounds.
She was detained and deported to Guatemala, said Senaya , a junior, who helped organize Thursday’s walkout.
“We walked out in support of our immigrant community,” and specifically their fellow student, said Kyara Romero Lira, another organizer. She is a junior.
Some of the students held handmade signs reading, “Education Not Deportation” and “Solidarity Has No Borders.” Many chanted, “No Justice. No Peace”
The students walked from their classrooms to the parking lot and onto the school courtyard. They had the support of teachers and security officials, who made sure they stayed safe, the Takoma Park resident explained.
“Teachers were extremely supportive. They helped us get the police out and make sure we were in a safe environment.”
The event created a feeling of support as well as sadness. “Everyone was just very sad that this happened,” she said.
“I feel extremely proud of my school and my students. We all came together. We wanted to show people we were here and give voice to those without a voice,” Romero Lira said. “No one should be in a circumstance where they don’t feel they have a voice.”
Asfaw said she wanted the walk out “to shed light on the situation.” It’s not just one Blair student, it’s more and more students throughout the country who are being deported, she said.
“We wanted to show that diverse communities, immigrant communities, that they are welcome here. We wanted to show that Blair will not stay silent,” she added.
Asfaw said she was proud of her fellow students, noting, “I know as students, it is hard to find your voice.”
The students wanted to send “the very clear message that ICE is not welcome in our community,” according to the Fair at Blair message.
“Students are gathering in disgust by the tactics implemented by this administration that have separated their classmates, community and families. This is a moment where we are meeting the moment and ensuring we share what real safety means to us.”
Several legislators joined the students, including Councilmember Kristin Mink and Delegates Joe Vogel and Lorig Charkoudian, who posted on social media “So impressed with and grateful for the way @montgomery.blair.hs students stood up (and walked out) today against mass deportations – as they grieve the fact that one of their fellow students was deported.”
Mink addressed the students, telling us she supported us and to stay involve, said Asfaw.
Here is Mink’s video from the walkout.
