East LA Students March In Protest As LAUSD Calls For Calm

East LA Students March in Protest as LAUSD Calls for Calm

On Monday morning, students in East Los Angeles walked out of classes in protest following the election of Donald Trump as president. The walkouts began last week after Trump’s victory on Tuesday. Students from Garfield, Mendez, Roosevelt, Wilson, and Lincoln high schools participated in the walkout. They gathered at East LA’s Mariachi Plaza and then marched to City Hall, approximately a mile and a half away. Social media was buzzing with photos using the hashtag #EastSideRising. A poster, presumably organized by a Latino/Chicano student group at Roosevelt High School, referred to the protest as a "Unitywalk" and emphasized that it was not a protest against Trump. However, students participating in the walkout were using the hashtag #NotMyPresident in their tweets.

LA Unified officials urged students to remain in class and work with school officials to plan on-campus protests. Last Thursday, officials warned that students would face disciplinary action if they left school during classes. Despite the walkouts, there was no significant decrease in attendance across the district, according to a district spokesperson.

Superintendent Michelle King stated in a televised statement, "This election is a lesson in democracy. Our classrooms provide these lessons every day, which is why it is crucial for our students to return to school." Los Angeles School Police Chief Steve Zipperman added that they were collaborating with law enforcement agencies to ensure students stayed within the law and on campus.

At a news conference, Superintendent King and board members emphasized their commitment to students and their education. United Teachers Los Angeles issued a statement reaffirming their dedication to promoting educational and racial justice.

The walkout garnered attention on social media, with thousands of students participating and sharing their thoughts and pictures using the hashtags #Trump and #EastSideRising.

The walkouts were not limited to Los Angeles but occurred nationwide. Trump’s statements on illegal immigration, including plans for mass deportations and the construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border, particularly affected Los Angeles students. Approximately 74 percent of LAUSD students are Latino, and about 10 percent of LA’s population is undocumented.

Reporters from LA School Report contributed to this report.

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