North students marched through the streets of Newtonville as a part of a nationwide walkout to protest against the actions of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE), Friday, Jan. 30.
Approximately 200 students left the building at 1 p.m. and walked down Walnut Street, chanting and carrying signs. Passersby showed support by honking their horns as the students headed through Newtonville and toward the Newton Education Center and Day Middle School.
Senior Maialen Alawan, who spoke to the protesters after the walkout, said, “There is no honor in blind obedience to a system that hates you, but courage in action, strength in numbers, and that’s why we’re here today.”
Recent protests are a response to ICE’s actions in the last year, specifically in Minnesota. ICE raids in Minnesota have resulted in separation of families, further political polarization, and in some cases, the deaths of both American citizens and non-citizens.
News of the protest spread quickly through North’s community due to Instagram reposts and flyers around North. The flyers read “ICE OUT” and provided the time and date of the walkout.
“It’s become a nationwide issue,” said freshman Sasha Milonwyz. “It’s gone from just LA, to being Minnesota and a lot of other places, and I think that’s not okay what’s happening to these people, especially the American citizens that have already been killed because of ICE.”
The protestors first marched to the Newton Community Education Center as the people inside the building cheered the students on.
“We’re not going to just let this happen and we’re not going to just take it. We are going to stand up,” said freshman Tess Anapole.
The protest then continued toward Linwood Park, where students marched along the surrounding sidewalk.
Students returned to North at about 2:20 p.m, and the group was led to the cafeteria by Principal Henry Turner, where students involved in organizing the walkout addressed the crowd.
“I understand the feeling of hopelessness that is instilled in every single one of us, but know that we have magnificent power in numbers, and there is true hope in who we are as Americans,” Alawan said.
