Hundreds of high school students in Portland staged a walkout recently to protest U.S. immigration policies. This nationwide action came after two shootings in Minneapolis that rattled many communities.
Students from schools like McDaniel High School gathered in Glenhaven Park. They proudly carried signs that shouted messages like “Stop ICE Terror Now” and energetically chanted, “This is what democracy looks like!” Their voices showed their determination.
One student, Jasmin Reyes-Contreras from Roosevelt High School, expressed how personal the issue is. “This affects everyone,” she said, pointing out the real-life consequences many students face, including friends whose parents have been taken by ICE.
Many school districts in Oregon treat such walkouts as unexcused absences, which can impact students’ eligibility for sports and other activities. McDaniel sophomore Viola DeVigal was among the organizers of the Glenhaven rally. She felt inspired to see so many of her peers united. “It was really meaningful to me,” she shared.
The Latino community in McDaniel High School makes up about 28% of the student body, and some students expressed fears about attending school due to worries about ICE. “It hurts to see my community scared,” DeVigal said.
Similarly, Roosevelt sophomore Oscar Ribeiro mentioned several acquaintances with family members who had experienced deportation. Portland Public Schools acknowledged the anxiety these recent immigration actions have caused and stated they respect students’ rights to protest, though the day was still treated as a regular school day.
As the student protests gained momentum, small businesses in the area also weighed their options. Some closed as a gesture of solidarity, while others opted to remain open but support the cause in different ways, like donating a portion of their sales to affected businesses.
For instance, Polo Bañuelos and Carlos Reynoso, who own the vegan restaurant Mis Tacones, decided to close for the strike. They engaged their employees in the decision, showing a collective community spirit. Bañuelos remarked, “These decisions aren’t taken lightly. We want to participate, but closing is tough.”
On the other hand, Christine Azar, owner of a chocolate and coffee shop, chose to remain open. She planned to donate part of her proceeds to support those in Minneapolis. “I want to make sure my money goes where it’s worthwhile,” she stated.
Azar described the emotional toll of witnessing community struggles and highlighted that small businesses often play a pivotal role in fostering connection and resilience in their neighborhoods.
Looking back at the history of protests, we see similar calls for action resonating over the years, driven by a need for justice and change. Today, students and businesses alike are harnessing their voices, showing that grassroots movements are alive and well. Each act of defiance—whether walking out of class or choosing to close a store—feeds into a larger dialogue on immigration policies and community safety.
In this modern age of social media, these movements gain traction more quickly than ever. Hashtags supporting immigrant rights flood platforms, allowing voices from all corners to join in. The call for justice and community care remains strong as demonstrators continue to rally not just in Portland, but across the nation.
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Immigration | Northwest Politics | Oregon
