Alisal HS students stage walk out protest

UPDATE 11/17/2016 6:15 PM:

Hundreds of Alisal High School students walked out of class on Thursday to protest issues raised by the November election.

Some 500 students marched from the school to Cesar Chavez Library. While many chanted “not my president,” in reference to President-elect Donald Trump, organizers said the protest was to address many issues they’re facing in the community.

“Our protest is to unite the students of Alisal High and our community, just so that they know together, they don’t have to live in fear,” organizer Esmeralda Garcia said.

Garcia and several of her classmates organized the peaceful half-mile march. They approached the administration earlier this week. Once they secured the proper paperwork, school leaders gave them the OK.

School leaders said they supported their decision to walk out, making sure they stayed safe along Williams Road.

“It gives them a voice,” principal Ernesto Garcia said. “It lets them say, ‘Yeah, you’re right, you have freedom of speech here in the United States.’ If you listen to their speeches, it’s all about peace, it’s all about getting along.”

But some people aren’t getting along on social media. Many commented on our station Facebook page.

One called it a shame:

“Suspend our [sic] expel them….when they’re old enough and legal to vote then they can Have [sic] they’re [sic] say…shame I [sic] the parents too who show this disrespect for our country our voting process…get over yourselves…”

Others supported the students, saying:

“Maybe you may not agree and feel these young people should go back to their country, this is their country and they love it enough to want to make it better!”

Others wondered what would happen if social media were around during other Civil Rights movements.

School leaders said the lesson students are learning outside the classroom is empowering them.

“It’s a peaceful rally,” Garcia said. “They organized it themselves, we’re not promoting it, we’re giving them a voice.”

KION called over to the State Department of Education to find out if schools could lose money if kids walked out. They said not necessarily. Funding is determined by the average daily attendance at any particular district. So a one-day walkout has little effect.

ORIGINAL POST:

About 500 students are planning to walk out of class at Alisal High School Thursday afternoon, to protest a wide range of issues following President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination.

Students plan to rally during lunch and later march to Cesar Chavez Library.School administrators said they support the rally, but it is unclear if they also support the walk-out.

KION’s Mariana Hicks will have more on this story at 5 & 6.