Lone student joins adults in protest of ICE actions across U.S.

BY KARISSA MILLER

Around 100 Statesville High School students planned to walk out of school around 1:50 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s actions across the country.

Student organizers said they received pushback from their school principal and local authorities on Monday. Walking off campus during the instructional day would result in disciplinary action, they were told.

As the time for the planned 1:50 p.m. walkout approached, a number of district administrators and additional law enforcement officers gathered in front of the school.

“Our big concern was safety. We don’t know what will happen to them when they leave campus. If you have more than 10 people gathered it’s an illegal protest,” Superintendent Jeff James said.

Senior Ian Murphy, 17, said that he was nervous about participating because of the threat of a lengthy out-of-school suspension.

“We got threatened with 10 days OSS. I have scholarships I have to rely on. I don’t know if it was on my record that they would be able to look past the reasoning behind it,” Murphy said.

After learning about the consequences for participating in the walkout, student organizers advised others to stay in class.

Murphy, who was the only student that participated in the walkout, had his guardian check him out of school to avoid punishment. He walked across the street of his school around 2 p.m. and was met by a group of local protestors, who gathered near the greenway to support the students.

“I’m proud of his maturity. He knows how to be heard without shouting,” said Amanda Bender, the teen’s guardian.

Murphy said was inspired by the message at the Super Bowl halftime show.

My poster is, ‘The only thing more powerful than hate is love.’ And I have ‘Love thy neighbor,’” he said.

As he walked among adult protesters, it was an empowering moment.

“When we started out, it was just the students in our school. It’s really nice to see this turnout. I feel supported,” Murphy explained.

Among the 10 to 15 protesters, the energy was peaceful. The group felt supported as motorists honked their horns or shouted encouragement as they drove by.

“You feel like you are making your voice heard on a personal level,” Murphy said.

After reaching the center of downtown, the protesters stood together in solidarity and were joined by other supporters.

“I came out to stand with and show support for our kids,” Statesville resident Beth McMahon said.

 Sherry Morgan, a 1978 SHS grad, agreed.

“We need to see change immediately. We are headed down a dark road,” Morgan said. “I’ve been participating in protests every Saturday.”

The treatment of immigrants is personal to some SHS students.

Leonardo Aguilera Rosas, 15, one of the organizers of the planned walkout, said the treatment of immigrants in the U.S. is troubling.

“I’ve seen it firsthand. I wanted to spread awareness. It’s about standing for human rights and humanity,” Aguilera Rosas said. “It impacts a lot of families that come here illegally and work hard to be here.”

Aguilera Rosas also shared a speech he wrote for the protest.

“As students our voices need to be heard. We can make a change. We have a responsibility to speak out about these issues that impact our community. It impacts many students that go here, friends and family. It’s not political; it’s personal.”

Murphy encouraged others to take a stand, but conceded it can be difficult.

“When you (see ICE) start ripping families apart and killing people in the streets for no reason, it gets to a point — no matter where you are from — you are scared to speak up to say something or do something,” he said.

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