My experience walking out

Hi Josie, though you feel your walkout experience was meaningful and you and your classmates did it for "the right reasons" there was nothing describing those reasons or exactly what you are protesting for. Did you talk to those students (I know at least one in your APUSH class) who did not walk out to hear their views? Or was it just memes, slogans and shouting? I would suggest you start with answering the following questions (which I posted on an another thread):

What (Democrat passed) immigration laws do you think we should or should not enforce? If ICE is abolished, what replaces it? Should we have open borders? Why is the US different from every other country that enforces its borders? Should anyone who gets into the country be allowed to take advantage of our welfare programs such as SNAP and Medicaid? (And if so how is this financially sustainable for the US?) Why was it OK for Obama to deport millions of illegal immigrants but not OK for Trump to deport far fewer? Should even those who come here illegally and commit other crimes be allowed to stay? Why was Tom Homan a hero under Obama and a "Nazi" now? If "No one is illegal on stolen land" (A sign seen at the protests), what have you done to give land back to the Ohlone people (or whoever they "stole" it from?)

Why would speaking out feel "scary" to you when the vast majority of those in your school and our county believe (or parrot) the same things? What's scary is being in the minority and speaking out for more conservative viewpoints (I myself have been cyber harassed for my views to the point of filing a police report, my son has been called "racist" for not wanting to defund the police or his views on DEI.)

As far as teachers and administrators encouraging free speech, this doesn't always go both ways. A few years ago at BHS some students organized a walkout to protest the continuing mask mandate (in 2022, long after we knew such mandates were useless.) Then Principal Belzer threatened the students with loss of prom and graduation, and they were treated differently at school after that.

In college, I hope you have the chance to get out of your bubble and expose yourself to different ideas and viewpoints.

It is sad that Ms. Wettan conveniently forgets to mention that ICE is doing the jobs we voted for, securing the border and enforcing law and order and instead presents the walk out as a tailgate-type party. Not much of a party for victims, some of who are no longer with us, of those who’ve crossed the border illegally. Where’s the march to honor them? Are kids easily manipulated or bullied into supporting criminals and terrorists over the American people – their classmates, neighbors and friends.

Sad, also, because this is another reason California rates in the bottom 10 states in terms of K-12 academic performance even though they’re among the top 20 states in school funding. Silly antics taking away from education. Let’s hope prospective college admissions officers or employers screen social media posts to determine whether these students are worthy of placement in their college or place of business. Students may never know why they weren’t accepted to their dream college or work at their dream job. Did this lark affect their chances? They may never know.

Well Josie - you just followed the crowd that was instructed by the the dark web operators and communicated via TikTok. Tell me, what did you accomplish other than feeling good and thinking that you may have influenced those of us who nurture you. Josie, we many not always agree with the ICE tactics but what you fail mention is that the ICE organization has already neutralized and deported thousands of undesirables. If your yelling peers had come up with a better solution to remove these criminal illegals, I would have had more respect for your inconsequent, useless walk out.

Beautifully put, Ms. Wettan. So proud of you and your fellow students for standing up for kindness, liberty, and what used to be our American values. Pay no attention to the nuts and bots attacking you and your ideals. Although they love to pound their chests with MAGA talking points about "illegal immigrants" and trans athletes, they are in the minority. Their attacks are more desperate than ever, and the country is waking up and fighting back. Keep up your values, and keep up the fight for justice, freedom, and accountability. You are our future and you give me hope. As to the inevitable responses to my comments from the usual suspects here, know in advance that your vitriol amuses me.

I went to the Redwood City "titanic" protest against ICE. Another display of government by tantrum. However, I was impressed by how orderly the teens were, most of them girls. They stopped for lights and kept good order. The only things that got me POed were boys on bikes who showed off their skills and some waving Mexican flags.

As a parent of a high schooler, I am proud of our kids every day. This was another wonderful example of kids exceeding expectations, finding their voice and working together. I was a bit worried about so many kids gathering without supervision, but the organization was impressive. Protesting is as much about finding and building community as it is about exercising your right to expression. Well done!

We have it so good here in America compared to other countries all over the world. People fighting for their lives in thousands of places. So, now, to support our blessed way of life, where in America are the people leading protests AGAINST illegal, unlawful and evil immigration? Particularly here in San Mateo area? Our family and friends are teaching our children and families to be honest. Not to steal and lie. And discussing that the honest way to immigrate is go through the proper channels. Now they are pressured by media, teachers, and other students to fall in line and support these protesting of illegal activities? And such a large population of the students. Such a tragic shame. If we are going to survive, we must return to honesty and integrity as a way of life. And particularly with our young people. They are our future. No civilization has ever survived for long without laws and order. This is a call to profess honesty, and particularly to encourage our student to march and stand for proper immigration (and support those law enforcement officers like ICE that are just doing their jobs to protect us).

Good article! Thank you.