Las Lomas Walkout
At 9:45 today many students gathered in the rally court to protest the election of Donald Trump. Many then walked off campus and towards the City Council Building in downtown Walnut Creek. The students only ended up reaching the Walnut Creek Police Department.
There were approximately 200 students who participated in the practice of their first amendment right.
Many students did this as a sign that they supported other students on campus and that they were not alone. “I was crying because yesterday I saw a lot of people from my own school crying and really scared about even coming to school, because they were fearful what people here were going to do to them now that Trump is president,” said junior Julia Tarter. “I was marching because I wanted them to know that there were a lot of people at this school who still support them and are going to protect them.”
Students held signs and flags and chanted as they peacefully marched towards the Walnut Creek Police Department, “We were saying ‘My Body My Choice’, ‘All lives matter’, and ‘Love Trumps Hate’. It was very moving because we were all united believing in what was right and it shows that no matter what happens we’ll still be connected and we’re just willing to take the risks just for all of us to be together. No matter what happens,” said Senior Esmeralda Guerra.
Some of the signs read, “Love Trumps Hate,” “Minority Lives Matter,” and “Peace, Love, Equity, Equality.”
Many students felt that this peaceful protest would help to make some changes. “I think what we really need to do is reach out to the other side and try to find things that we both agree on to get things done,” said senior Nadine Snyder.
According to principal Mr. Campbell in a letter sent out to Knights, these students will receive a cut for the class they missed and a lunch detention. “If students decide to leave campus, we will treat this incident as any other when students are off campus during school without permission. Students will receive a cut or unexcused absence (You have teacher discretion as to whether or not you allow students to make-up work for an unexcused absence). Students will receive a school detention. We communicated the walk-out with WCPD and we are working with them to ensure student safety. We re-iterated to the students that effective protests are peaceful and are meant to be used for solidarity. The students said their intention is to peacefully walk to City Hall and return by lunch,” said Campbell.
Administration and a couple of staff members walked along with the students. “It is important to note, that we are not supporting their message, rather, we are present during their walk-out for student safety reasons. Adults need to be present for student safety reasons. Dave and I will walk with them and Amanda and Amy will remain on campus,” said Campbell.
These students felt that the punishment they would receive was worth it to demonstrate their feelings about this election. “I actually wasn’t going to go at first because I was kind of afraid of the punishment, then I was like ‘this is something I actually believe in,’ so I should. I should protest it,” said junior Nessa Ordukhani. “I don’t believe living life under such a misogynistic and terrible person. I called my dad and he said if it’s something you really believe in you should do it. And that’s what I did.”
Sophomore Makenna Gregson thought that this protest was a great way for students to voice their opinions about such an important time in our lives. “It was incredibly inspiring, I felt passionate and that my voice mattered.”
