ORIGINAL 1 PM REPORT: Thanks for the tip. Local students are among the hundreds gathered for an anti-ICE protest downtown right now; our photo shows part of the crowd outside City Hall. A texter told us this morning that West Seattle High School students planned to walk out; our research showed Chief Sealth International High School students were mentioned as expected participants as well. The photo is by WSB’s Macey Wurm; we’ll add her full report later.
(Added: Reader photo from Paulette)
ADDED 10 PM, FULL REPORT
Story and photos by Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Organizers of today’s student protest said their goals included keeping ICE out of Seattle, “protecting students from ICE invasion,” and speaking out against killings by federal immigration-enforcement agents, including those of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.
The event was organized by ICE Out Seattle Schools and Seattle Student Union, a student-led organization spanning the city. The groups planned the walkout and march in collaboration with students from more than 10 high schools in the Seattle area and announced the event on social media five days in advance.
Their pages included detailed public transportation routes to City Hall for each high school, FAQ’s, a Google form for potential speakers, and a plan to walk out of class at 11:00 a.m. to arrive downtown by noon.
“We felt that it was time for us to take a step and take our power back and advocate for our peers,” a member of Seattle Student Union from Franklin High School said. “As well as the fact that teachers and admin haven’t done anything to make sure the safety of our students is not being targeted and taken away.”
She explained that her organization, founded by students in January 2022, has a lot of experience planning similar events. They have organized to address the overturning of Roe v. Wade being overturned in 2022, to change gun legislation in Washington State, and for the ongoing injustices in Palestine.
Students were packed tightly onto City Hall’s westward facing plaza occupying the entirety of the stairs and upper terrace. The crowd sprawled out across the street to the other side of 4th Ave. A banner was sprawled out stretching several people with “ICE Out of Our Schools” in large letters. Several event organizers held megaphones and led various chants.
At 12:35, the crowd began to file into the street, completely blocking 4th Ave to through traffic; they then turned to march north on 3rd Ave – an unplanned part of the event. The students remained in high spirits, moving at a quick pace until reaching Virginia Ave, where they turned back toward City Hall.
Once assembled back in the plaza, police presence was at the scene, with one car parked at the foot of the plaza, and two others across the street. Speeches from individual students began. An event organizer held the megaphone while each took a turn addressing the audience.
“Even if we are minors, even if we can’t vote, even if it feels like we don’t have a say in politics, protesting is showing up. Showing that we care about what’s happening, that we care about our country, our community,” one speaker said.
Another student expressed her anger at a fellow Franklin High School student’s detainment by ICE yesterday. After speeches concluded, a moment of silence was held for the two teens killed in the Rainier Beach shooting last Friday, and organizers urged protesters to get home safe, as the rally had ended.
Though a large part of the crowd began to file out, one student urged others to continue to rally, saying, “Don’t go back to your schools. Stay here. That’s the whole point!” At this, the remaining group again gathered again, and restarted a march that took them down to the intersection of 1st Ave and Madison. This second march brought heightened energy, a large speaker, and some dancing:
They remained there until around 3:00 p.m. when they eventually dispersed. “It was a beautiful and peaceful protest,” Chief Sealth student Ri (who sent us the dancing video agove) told WSB.
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