By Maria Luisa Torres and Gabriel Arizon
San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol
Last Friday, students from area schools located in the Northeast Valley walked out of their classrooms to protest the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] raids impacting their neighborhoods.
Those who live and work in the Northeast valley communities – specifically in the 91402 zip code, which includes Mission Hills, North Hills and Panorama City – are among those who have been most targeted and impacted by ICE raids in Los Angeles County, according to a report by the LA County Department of Economic Opportunity and the LA County Economic Development Corporation.
Recent data from the Department of Homeland Security indicated more than 10,000 people have been detained throughout the LA area, affecting local families, workers and businesses.
Paxton Park Protest
On Feb. 6, the day designated for the valley-wide school walkouts, participating students from dozens of schools collectively voiced their outrage over the ongoing ICE detentions and deportations. More than 200 middle schoolers and high schoolers gathered at Paxton Park / Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima, carrying homemade signs and raising their voices.
“I feel … like we’re not being heard,” said Lizzet Gonzalez, a student from Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley, about why she thinks protesting is important. “People are dying, so many people are getting taken away. The little kids are being taken away. I feel like we have to make some noise. … I’m gonna do this no matter how many times [it takes] just to see a change.”
Gonzalez said the ICE raids have personally affected her family. Her father was detained by ICE, and she saw footage of it on TikTok. He was eventually released. In addition, her home was raided and several of her family members have also been detained.
“Sadly, this is our world right now. I know I’m not the only one affected by this,” said Gonzalez. “Spread love whenever you can [because] you don’t know what everyone’s going through.”
A student from San Fernando High, who didn’t state her name, said the raids have caused her family to live in fear.
“My mom can’t leave the house, my family can’t leave the house because of ICE,” she said. “My mom … came here for a better life.
“We’re not illegals, we’re not aliens, we’re not animals – we’re humans,” she continued. “Just because our skin [color] is different, our history is different [and] our language is different does not mean we’re not human. We’re all human.”
She believes the school walkouts and protests must continue to bring meaningful change.
“We have to keep going,” she said. “There must be more walkouts, more protests until ICE is gone … [but] we cannot be violent in these protests. These are peaceful protests. Nobody is going to listen to us if we’re violent … if we’re causing mayhem in the streets.”
Juan Rodriguez, whose grandchildren attend Bert Corona Charter High School in Arleta, went to the park to support his grandkids and the rest of the students participating in the walkout.
“I want a better future for them,” said Rodriguez, holding a sign his grandson made that read: “La vida es fria. Life is cold when families get torn apart. Get out of our community.”
“If it takes this [walkout] to accomplish something, as long as it’s peaceful, I’ll support them as much as I can,” he added. “I used to think that a lot of kids just wanted to walk out just to go home … but I see what they’re doing and I see a lot of [spirit] in them.”
Rodriguez said the ICE raids have impacted several people he knows.
“They [the Trump administration] said [ICE is] supposed to be out here arresting criminals, and it’s been the opposite,” he said. “I hope this [walkout] sends out a message and people come out here and support us.”
CCLA Students March to San Fernando City Hall
Shortly after noon, several hundred students poured out of Cesar Chavez Learning Academies (CCLA) in the City of San Fernando to take part in the walkout. Numerous parents and teachers waited outside to pass out bottled water and snacks. Several adults also accompanied the students on their trek to San Fernando City Hall, where they gathered for speeches and lunch.
Christina Ceniceros, whose 16-year-old son Christian is a student at CCLA, said she wanted to be present to support the students “standing up for their rights,” and to help ensure their safety.
“As a parent, as a Latina, born and raised in the San Fernando Valley, I think it’s very important that we stand together,” she said. “It’s not just about immigration. It’s about all our freedoms … We are fighting for our Constitution. Donald Trump needs to get his hands off our Constitution!”
Ceniceros praised the teachers, staff and administration at CCLA for supporting and encouraging the students “to be passionate about what they believe in – and that’s why we’re here,” she said.
CCLA student Milena Garcia felt it was important to be part of the walkout on behalf of her immigrant parents and for others who don’t feel safe speaking out against the administration.
“I see it as a privilege to be here for those who can’t,” explained Garcia. “I don’t agree with what’s happening with our government and the way ICE has been acting lately with our people. … I see it as such a disrespect, because America was built on the backs of immigrants, so it’s hard to see my people getting beat down just because of their skin color, their race or where they come from, because they’re being seen as less than, when we’re [all] the same. We’re all equal.”
Ivan Martinez, also a student at CCLA, said both of his parents are immigrants. He recounted the long talks he’s had with them about why they came to this country and their hope for his future.
“They tell me, ‘All we want is for you to have a better life here [in the U.S.] than you would’ve had there,’” he said. “Fortunately, this country provides us with more resources that we can use to be successful. My dad wants to see me with a degree and a house; that’s really all he wants for me.”
Martinez said it’s discouraging that the government wants to punish hard-working people like his parents.
“Everyone deserves a chance for a better life,” he said. “I’m here because I support that immensely.”