LBUSD students walkout and protest ICE at City Hall

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly named the Party for Socialism and Liberation Long Beach

LBUSD students joined with the Party for Socialism and Liberation Long Beach (PSL) in protesting United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Long Beach’s City Hall on Friday. 

Sparked from the recent deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minnesota by ICE agents, a rise in walkouts across California schools was seen in support of those affected by ICE.

Many students from high schools in California walked out of class to attend the event, some of whom have been directly affected by the ICE raids.

“I have some family that are undocumented, and they’re scared to leave their houses. They stay at home, don’t go out for groceries as often, and they don’t go to the park with their kids anymore,” Long Beach Poly senior Finn Lopez said. 

Lopez was far from the only student at the event who had people they knew impacted by the raids in California.

^{Director of SoCal Uprising, Anthony Bryson and other protesters march around Long Beach city hall during the ICE protest on Feb. 27. (Juan Rosales)}

“I have not had my family directly impacted, but I’m scared that it might happen one day. I pray it doesn’t happen,” Long Beach Poly student Zyles Monreal said. 

The march down the streets of Long Beach was accompanied by the honking of horns from passing cars and chants of “ICE out” from pedestrians on the streets, while demonstrators held protest signs reading anti-ICE sentiments such as “Stop ICE terror now” and “Tear down the borders”.

^{leader of the American Indian Movement, Gray Wolf, speaks at Long Beach city hall during the ICE protest on Feb. 27. (Juan Rosales)}

“I think it’s encouraging to come out and speak out and to not be scared. I came out here to make sure my voice is heard,” said Lopez

As ICE raids continue and tensions continue rising, members of PSL see a growing need for protest.

“I think it’s really important that we all come together and take action at a protest. Hopefully, we can come away with some action items and next steps to get ICE out of our country,” PSL member Bianca Carrillo said.

Lead organizer for the event and director of activist group SoCal Uprising Anthony Bryson, sees the youth as an important part of the fight against ICE. 

“We’re hoping to utilize the most recent trending atmosphere of youth and students walking out and encapsulate that towards our advantage and towards the movement of abolishing ICE,” said Bryson.