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Jersey City High School Students Hold ICE Protest Walkout
Students from several Jersey City high schools walked out of classes Friday, February 13, to protest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, marching from Dickinson High School to City Hall.
Students from Dickinson High School and Ferris High School initiated the mid-period walkout. Students from Snyder High School, Innovation High School, and County Prep High School also joined. The group began at Dickinson, proceeded down Newark Avenue, continued along Grove Street, and concluded at City Hall, where student organizers addressed the crowd.
Councilpersons Jake Ephros of Ward D, Eleana Little of Ward E, Joel Brooks of Ward B, and Tom Zuppa of Ward C attended the protest. Mussab Ali, a candidate for Congress, was also present.
Organizations including the Spirit of Liberation group, the Anakbayan group, and the Jersey City Police Department gathered along the route. Genevieve, a senior at Ferris High School, served as master of ceremonies and introduced student speakers. “ICE cannot get us if we all come together as one!” she said.
Daniel, a teacher at Lincoln High School and a member of the Spirit of Liberation group, commented on the demonstration, stating, “It’s so beautiful. I wish I was like this in high school.”
Some students did not participate in the walkout. Organizers said that not all students were able to leave their campuses. During the rally, speakers referenced concerns about potential disciplinary consequences for participating in the protest.
“They can suspend me, they can take away our prom, they can even take away our graduation, but they can’t take away our rights,” Genevieve said.