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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About time the grown ups took control.
I live in a conservative, Republican controlled county. I get it. BUT…
These students deserved to express themselves publicly and I find it refreshing that they want to do so. As adults, we should encourage participation in national issues. I’m certain that a way for this protest to happen could have been found. I suspect that school and city administration, as a whole do not support public protests against the current county, state, and national political environment. This is a sad decision by our elected officials.
Get a life. Illegal immigrants need to be deported. Illegal is illegal. What part of that don’t people understand.
The two people that ICE murdered in the streets of Minneapolis were US citizens. What part of that do YOU not understand?
Real world actions have Real World repercussions! Also, Make sure these same students are taught that Real world work and jobs continue in rain and snow and ice…don’t show up, and you’ll find yourself looking for a new job!
Idiots
I’m so proud of those students for peacefully expressing their anger and outrage at a system that’s gone off the rails.
You mean brainwashed with your leftist ideas????
Someone really needs to educate these ppl smh… imma start wearing my Trump hat 🤷🏾♂️
I wanted to attend but had to work unfortunately! Way to go Ian! Thank you for standing up for what’s RIGHT, despite intimidation tactics, and everything else! You’re awesome, and today your efforts did not go unnoticed!
Clear violation of their 1st amendment rights, threats of discipline is pure intimidation. Proud to learn the next generation does not possess the number of cowards this county has in adults.Entering this country as an illegal is a misdemeanor,, a civil matter.
The fact you Red hats voted for a 34 count felon, and additionally numerous present day developments and the available evidence is now overwhelming,; Felonies are a criminal matter. Clearly education and independent thought abilities are seriously lacking amongst your kind.
Bravo to the students!
Ah how nice, people pretending to be Americans think that authorities should be able to threaten protestors.
What was stopping their protesting before or after school hours?
Yes you can love your neighbor, who came here legally and loves this country probably more than most Americans today. The ones who came here illegally and murder, rape and break the law have no right to be here and need to be deported. Unfortunately if they have family, they also through no fault of there own, are caught up in the chaos. The solution is exactly what is being done. CLOSE THE BORDER AND COME HERE LEGALLY.
I appreciate Dr. James’ mindfulness and understanding of the safety concerns with this clown show. Of course a mob promoting illegalities doesn’t consider safety implications of others nor do they care about following rules themselves. The students could have waited about another hour when school dismissed without problems. But of course you can’t expect them to be considerate of other students who are at school to learn and who have respect for our nation’s laws and institutions. They act like they’re there for others, but really only there for themselves.
Do we not teach social studies and civics in high school? All the more reason to allow students to attend a peaceful protest to express their opinions. By the time the students are ready to graduate, the majority of them will have reached their 18th birthday and able to vote. I, for one, wish to see moral and civic minded high school graduates who may become our future leaders because of a real life experience such as this missed opportunity. As for “missed time”, shall we talk about pep rallies and powder puff games (students vs teachers basketball) transpiring during class time? All this after our circus of a school board? The math ain’t matching.
A picture is worth many words. The problem is not with immigrants, so either the student is ignorant or just spreading the leftist lies. Illegal aliens are the problem. I’m aware of a drunk driver with kids in the car being “ripped away” from the kids. Should LE let him go and keep driving?
I do not understand why anyone would support high school kids leaving their campus to protest something that has been done for decades. ICE is NOT, immigration raids are NOT new, removal of people that are unlawfully staying somewhere they should not be is NOT new!
Now what really bothers me is the audacity of these adult protesters to set up NEAR a school?? That’s the very same claim that they say is a concern if ICE was to be allowed near a school, “we have to protect/shield the children from these damaging sites or added stress” yet protesting this is NO DIFFERENT… Why was that allowed, did those adults have a permit to organize across the street from a school, why were they not arrested for doing so??
Lastly, it wasn’t ‘brave of Ian’ to do this against the “threat” is school sanctions, his guardian legally removed him from school so he could go do this without the threat of OSS.
What a load of crap this whole thing is.
North Carolina General Assembly Chapter 115C – Article 27
115C‑390.2. Discipline policies.
“(d) Governing body policies shall not allow students to be long‑term suspended or expelled
from school solely for truancy or tardiness offenses and shall not allow short‑term suspension of
more than two days for such offenses.”
Also, students would be entitled to hearing prior to any suspension being instituted. Local/District/School policy cannot violate state statute.
This was nothing more than intimidation to get these students, many of whom are relying on scholarship, afraid enough to back down, using the threat of a punishment in violation of their own policies. They’ve set a terrible example for these students.
https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/ByArticle/Chapter_115C/Article_27.pdf
These people just dont understand. I can’t believe these adults are so brainwashed against law and order. Now passing the brainwashing on to their kids. Two kids killed by an illegal two weeks ago on Amity Hill Unbelievable! Wake up people.
If this was truly an important issue they could have protested outside of school hours as stated. During school hours would have gotten them “seen” for notoriety. The people who illegally let them in are responsible for what is happening now. I don’t want to see anyone hurt but AMERICA IS BEING HURT. Americans are being raped and murdered. How do you justify that? Put yourself in the place of loved ones who lost family to violence. How are you going to respond if it happens to you. Illegal is illegal as stated. The rails went off the track when huge groups of illegals were herded here like cattle. That must have been degrading to them. And I totally agree with Drake. If Drake was that brave his guardian would not have signed him out. I pray Ian and the other students learned a lesson. There are consequences to our actions. What if you protest at college? You could lose your scholarship. Go to school. Learn how to correctly address these types of issues. Stand up for what you believe but do it legally. The real heros are the silent ones who work behind the scenes to make America. Jesus wants us to help each other but we have to heal America before we can help others. God bless you all.
P.S. Why was the protest allowed across the street?
Release the UNREDACTED Epstein Files NOW
Allow everyone to read for themselves who it is that has committed the crimes. The heinous, evil, and vile crimes.
If you support Trump and MAGA you support Pedophilia, Sex Trafficking of Children, and Rape.
Disgusting!!!!!
If you proudly wear a Red MAGA hat you need to be kept far, far away from children.
Facts!!
MAGA is a cult of hypocrites and these cult members need to do some serious soul searching and Praying to Jesus for forgiveness. It might be too late for your forgiveness.
Jesus didn’t preach anything about attacking the most vulnerable in our midst. There’s nothing in His Words about preying on the innocent. You might want to dust off your Bibles and study up on exactly what He did say about the needy.