(SAN RAMON, CA.) – The recent shootings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota have ignited outrage across the United States, prompting fierce debate over the authority and conduct of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agents.
What began as a national conversation among adults has now rippled into communities where young people are refusing to stay silent. Across the Bay Area, students have taken to the streets in protest, demanding accountability, justice, and change.
On Friday, February 6, students from California High School in San Ramon walked out of class at 2:00 p.m. to protest ICE and stand in solidarity with victims like Good and Pretti. Students walked to City Hall, holding various signs and posters.
Photo Credit: Addison Jing / Students at City Hall
“It was a 2.9 mile walk from Cal High to City Hall, and so there were a lot of cars that drove by,” student Keira Chen said. “On the way, there were so many old couples in the car who would honk and give a thumbs up. It was really sweet.”
Many students were out to represent and be a voice for those who were unable to act.
“One of my friends was telling me how she really wanted to do the walkout, but she was scared because her parents aren't documented,” Chen said.
This fear was present among many students, not just Chen’s friend. In fact, a concerning image of ICE was circulating that same morning.
Photo Credit: Nextdoor / AI-generated Image of ICE Agents
The picture was later confirmed to be AI-generated, but its impact still left parents and teachers with heightened concerns regarding student safety.
“Typically when ICE gets involved, situations can escalate quickly, and these are our kids that we’re talking about. I had a horrible feeling in my gut,” a Cal High parent said.
People speculated that the picture was to specifically deter another ICE protest that was occurring at Dougherty Valley High School.
Students still showed up to support their community despite the concerns.
“I know some people that were afraid to attend or be associated or photographed in that manner because they were afraid of ICE and it's just really sad and I'm glad that I was able to go and represent a community of people,” student Samanta Alongi said.
Photo Credit: Keira Chen
The students received tremendous support on the way there, with young children and their parents engaging with the high schoolers.
“There were little elementary schoolers who had parents tell them to hold their thumbs up, and they were all grinning,” Chen said.
Various students spoke out as well.
“Seeing people speak so eloquently and passionately made me feel like we can change what's going on,” student Lillian Carlson said.
Photo Credit: Addison Jing / Student Speeches
Students held strong views regarding ICE and the incidents that occurred in the past few weeks.
“The whole purpose is to detain criminals,” Chen said. She alleged that ICE actions included the detainment of a five year old and the deaths of nine people in the past month, arguing that “the purpose and what’s actually happening is very different.”
While many people expressed strong support for the students, there were moments where they were met with less-than-friendly reactions.
“Some people drove by extra slowly just to flip us off,” Alongi said. “A younger kid rolled down the window and stuck his head out yelling, ‘Trump is the best president we've ever had.’”
Alongi described the encounter as unsettling, noting that the boy appeared to be quite young.
Photo Credit: Addison Jing / Student protester with sign condemning the government
Students marched across the Iron Horse Trail bridge as well, proudly displaying country flags and holding up their signs.
“If you're a citizen, they don't care,” Chen said. “They're still assuming things based on how you look.”
Photo Credit: Keira Chen / Students at the Iron Horse Trail overcrossing
Carlson and Chen echoed the same sentiment of hope for the country’s future, while affirming that the current actions taking place by ICE and the government couldn’t go on forever.
“The way they are acting and being used right now is not what they were originally intended for,” Carlson said. “Right now they are above the law and I think that's disgusting.”
To add to or correct any information in this report, please email me at yashi.s@lead4earth.org or leave a comment below.
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