Joining hundreds of students and community members, Piedmont students protested in Berkeley, one of many demonstrations across the Bay Area on Jan 30.
The protests were part of the broader national “no work, no school, no shopping” movement, in response to the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minneapolis in mid January.
“Engaging against the current establishment and the things that they’re doing is really important,” senior Abigail Cothran said.
Protesters gathered at the West Crescent Lawn of UC Berkeley at 12 PM, marching to the Downtown Berkeley BART Station. From there, many took BART to San Francisco, joining a larger protest at Dolores Park, while others stayed behind and continued rallying at the intersection of Allston and Shattuck.
The demonstration remained peaceful, with participants chanting, holding up signs, and blowing whistles amidst supportive honks from passing vehicles.
“We want to show what we’re passionate for, but we also don’t want to wreak havoc. We don’t want to fight with fire, because that’s only going to create more fire,” said East Bay Innovation Academy sophomore Hops Elizoleo.
Elizolio said students at his school, aiming to make their community safer and more inclusive, walked out despite discouragement from their principal.
“We just want to make a better place for everyone to live in,” Elizoleo said. “This nation was made to include everyone, and it’s not really being shown that.”
Senior Rachel Young said the most concerning issue motivating her to protest is the lack of repercussions for federal agents who commit crimes.
“It’s an infringement of our civil rights, and our human rights to exist without fear of the government,” Young said.
Continuing to engage in political activism at 78 years old, Berkeley community member Barbara
Chan said she participated in the protest, advocating for democracy to be upheld in America.
“Every day the Trump organization is shooting every bit of democracy down and trying to tear it down, which is why my sign says ‘we claim democracy’,” she said.
Chan said she has been participating in protests since she was the same age as many of the students currently protesting against ICE. When she attended Berkeley High School, she participated in demonstrations against the Vietnam War.
“With the Vietnam War, it finally came to a close because the demonstrations got to be so massive,” she said. “But the way the President behaved in those days was very different than what’s happening with the White House right now.”
As the protesters rallied, staff members of Jupiter, a local pizza restaurant nearby, showed their support for the cause, standing on the sidewalk handing out free slices to protesters.
“Everyone has a right to protest,” said Jupiter Head Chef Ben Boynton. “Everyone has a right to equality.”
Elizoleo said he hopes protesting will show people in power that young people want change.
“We want to show higher-ups that we care for our country,” Elizoleo said.
St. Mary’s High School senior Elia Kudemus said the walkouts united young people to fight for a larger cause.
“This brought all high school students together, middle schoolers too, and we’re just seeing how the younger generations are involved in something this big,” Kudemus said.
Young said protests are a way for people to be civically engaged, even if they can’t vote.
“I think [protests are] a key part of democracy, where you’re able to express your voice in order to change the government,” Young said.
Working on becoming more active in civic engagement herself, Cothran said it’s important for more students to do the same.
“More students need to get involved in civic action,” Cothran said. “I think it’s especially important because we come from a place of privilege. We live in Piedmont. We’re able to do this, and we should do it.”
