On Feb. 11th, hundreds of Nyack High School students walked out of school to protest detentions and deportations locally and nationally by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE).
Nyack student leaders had planned the walkout for months, and were pleased to see such wide participation. NHS students either walked to the MacCalman Field, or drove out of the school to honk and wave down 9W. Despite the bleachers being filled with snow, more than 200 students attended to pack into the bleachers.
“We’ve seen the injustice that’s happening in our community. We’ve seen people across the nation come together, and display their first amendment rights to protest against ICE,” said Silas Edla, an NHS junior and student leader. “We decided, what better way to raise awareness to the general student population than to bring it to the high school.”
“We had some organizers, including myself, give speeches, and it was a success just because we had so many people come out and show their support for our community. It was definitely good to see.”
Peaceful protests have continued to grow in our community in the weeks since the student walkout. Protesting is a human right — and an opportunity for anyone to take a stand, and voice their beliefs.
