Step In the Name of Pride
Students Walk Out of San Jose Schools in Protest
Story and Photos by Jessica “Dazel” Valadez

There have been all these protests and rallies over HR 4437. Seeing all these images on the news has been truly inspirational and motivational. It's empowering to see so many people, especially my gente, come together and fight for one cause. But, the one thing that bothered me was the majority of the people were older adults. It had me thinking, does my generation truly care about our people?  Many of the immigrants that we know are our grandparents, our parents, and our aunts and uncles. Why was my generation not concerned?

But things started to change once word got out that every high school in every district of San Jose about doing a city wide walk out. I received word that Silver Creek High School was having their walk out on a Monday at 9:30 a.m. I was ready, on my way to support my former high school and also anxious at the same time. This was the moment of truth, to see how down these students were.

The administration found out about the walk out and forbade students from leaving campus. However, they did allow the students to protest during their lunchtime on the side of the office. I arrived to see about seven students huddled in a small corner with posters reading “Justice for All” and “No to HR 4437!” I mean it was good to know that some students were concerned and they were actually willing to take time out and speak their minds. Then, like a stampede out of a cage came people from every which corner chanting, “Latinos Unidos! Viva Mexico!” It was completely unexpected! They sent the administration in a whirlwind, calling for back-up. There had arrived about 150 students fro other schools, ready to walk and ready to fight.

The collective group of students began to walk. They marched away from the campus and down the busy street. Then gradually the rest started following. Some kids were picking up lawn signs, grabbing a sharpie and making their own picket signs. They were walking in the streets, chanting, making sure they were being heard! I followed them in amazement; I was in awe of what I was seeing. They had drivers honking as they passed us, pedestrians yelling with us, shaking our hands, smiling and cheering us on. They were doing what they pleased, even with cop cars following them. It was beautiful.

Walking next to them made me see things differently. It made me think twice. We can't change the world with the snap of our fingers, but if we all work together, young and old, we can make a difference.

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