Even in Avenal

Back in 1996 I tried to lead a protest against Prop. 187 (anti immigrant bill) and then later against Prop. 209 in my high school. Sadly very few decided to join me so it was a silent protest for me and a few friends and some ditching of class. Now 10 years later the beast is around in a new round this time federally and an issue has again caught the fire and minds of our gente. Here from today's front page Avenal Progress, damn from Detroit to LA to DC. I'm so glad its spreading sometimes democracy can feel soo good!

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Students march against HR4437

Joe Santino/The Progress Students at Avenal High School demonstrate Tuesday morning. (March 29, 2006)

The Avenal High School student body staged a walkout at 11 a.m. Tuesday in protest of HR 4437.

Enrique Jimenez, one of the “committee of ten” that came up with the idea to march said, he thinks the law (HR 4437) is wrong.

“They want to criminalize everyone who supports illegal immigrants while trying to kick everyone out of the country that is illegal,” said Enriquez. “It is wrong.”

Some of the signs made by students said, “we’re not criminals,” “we’re helping our families,” “we did not cross the border, the border crossed us,” and “no to HR 4437.”

“Students were going to walk, were going to leave campus, but we wanted to make it a safe protest within the law,” Enriquez said. “We met with Dr. Mellor to see what we could do to avoid breaking any laws and get cited, and we talked with staff about leading a march that would be within the law.”

Enriquez said their priority was not only getting their message out, but the emphasis was also on safety. “We didn’t want anyone to get hurt,” he said.

“Everybody participated and we know what we had to do and it worked,” he said. “There was no violence and no tickets issued.”

“Before the march, students came to a couple of faculty members expressing their concerns about the ramifications of their impending action,” said Victoria Taylor, a teacher at the high school. “They asked how they could do a march and continue their education the same day, and do it within the law, and it worked.”

After the march around campus and a short rally, the student body split into a few groups and marched through the city - accompanied by staff - yelling USA, USA, USA.

They were noisy, but everything appeared to go well as they got their message out.

Joe Satino

(March 29, 2006)