Today, I took a stand for what I believe in. Today, I stood up for those without a voice and for myself, my classmates, and my community. Today, I took a stand against hate.
A buzz fills the halls of my high school as students make their way through a sea of black-clad individuals, a harsh contrast to the usual patchwork of plaid skirts, khaki pants, and polos. Many chat with one another, pointing out the large group of students making their ways towards the school’s back doors. It’s 3 p.m., but school doesn’t let out until 4:30.
However this isn’t a normal day, it’s the day of the inauguration of the 45th president of the United States, Donald Trump. The school, located in Austin, Texas is a fairly liberal one, made up of a diverse population of students with different backgrounds and identities.
By now the news has circulated that the students are participating in civil disobedience. Some are showing their solidarity by participating in a blackout to show unity and to mourn victims of hate crimes. Others take it a step further and partake in a school walkout, heading to a protest in downtown Austin held by a group known as One Resistance. Scattered groups of students and staff alike watch as students make their way out the school’s heavy metal doors. Some criticize, some cheer, and others don’t know how to feel about the whole thing.
Just two days prior to the walkout a group of students organized and looked to fellow classmates to join them in protesting the inauguration of Donald Trump. With less than 48 hours to spare, the group took to social media, creating a Snapchat, Twitter, and Facebook to spread the word. Word of mouth, as well as social media, resulted in a turnout of roughly 40 students, a sizeable number for a school with a high school population of about 400 students.
The walkout participants swiftly make their way out the school gate, waving goodbye to friends and hurrying towards the predetermined meeting location. When the students arrive at the meetup location, they are greeted by the sound of a megaphone and a group of supportive parents, relatives, and members of the group Immigrants United. The students quickly stow their school bags and pick up signs, then march down South Lamar, a busy road in Austin, heading straight for downtown.
However, they aren’t the only group of students heading to the event. Students from local AISD high schools, including roughly 100 students from McCallum High School, left class at 3 p.m. and made their way toward Auditorium Shores, where the event was to be held. Students from the University of Texas at Austin also participated in a walkout of their own and left class 3 hours prior at 12 p.m.
The students’ voices begin to crack as they approach the 3-mile point marking their soon arrival at the protest. The group grows tiresome but they march on. Cars honk horns and passersby wave and give thumbs-up in support. The occasional Trump supporter calls out, only to be met by the students’ cries of passion. They will not give up.
Time passes quickly and the group arrives at the protest. The students run to meet friends attending the event and chant as they make their way to the pre-march rally. At the rally, the group is bursting with anticipation, they cannot wait for the start of the march.
At last, the march begins. They chant, hold hands, and disband into small groups, each carrying signs displaying messages of support such as “Love Trumps Fear!” and “Stop The Hate, Spread The Love!” Student’s feet begin to ache as the 4-mile walk from their school to the location of the protest takes its toll. They carry on, their excitement never fading.
Soon, the march comes to an end. Student head their separate ways, waving goodbye to friends and making plans to attend the Austin Women’s March the following day. They express their gratitude one last time and head into the night.
This walkout is something I am proud to have participated in alongside my fellow students. While some found it appalling and voiced their disposition, the outpouring of support during both the blackout and walkout provided me with a renewed sense of hope. Being a part of something bigger, such as a protest, reminded me and others who attended the event that we are not alone in our fight against hate.
All in all, this walkout is exactly what I needed. While many shared mixed emotions, my parents support as well as the support of my teachers and peers prompt me to continue to speak out and to tell my story.
While these next four years will be trying and challenging for those living in America; unifying and speaking out will be our best tools to combat hate going forward.
In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
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