More than 100 San Marcos High School students joined a walkout protesting ICE enforcement policies. They gathered at the Stone Creek shopping center on the west side of the I-35 frontage road in front of the Sonic Drive-In at about 3:15 p.m. and waved, shouted and held up signs to cars driving by.
The San Marcos Police Department urged them to step away from the access road multiple times, but did not use force to move them back. There was also a group of students holding up signs in front of the Embassy Suites hotel on the east side of the frontage road, with a SMPD van parked just north of the students. Officers kept an eye on the students without engaging with them.
The protesters began to disperse without incident about 4 p.m.
SMPD spokesperson Russell told the Daily Record during the event, “San Marcos police are monitoring the protest trying to provide traffic control and keep everyone safe.”
One of the students participating in the walkout said that the participants were expressing their discontent with ICE policies. “It’s just to bring people together, and because a lot of people’s friends and family got taken away by ICE,” said San Marcos High School student Jayleanna Juarez. “And I just have to say that no one’s illegal on stolen land.”
Initially the students planned to gather at the courthouse square, but the majority of them stayed behind at the Sonic.
Last night, SMCISD sent out a letter to the parents of students outlining their stance on a possible walkout.
“San Marcos CISD values student voice and supports students’ rights to express their beliefs in appropriate ways,” according to the statement. “However, there is a time and place for these actions. Events such as walkouts during the school day cause significant disruption to instruction and may create safety concerns for students and staff.
“Please be advised that any student who leaves campus during the school day without authorization will be considered to have an unexcused absence. Students who walk off campus will not be permitted to return to campus for the remainder of the school day.”
For more photos and updates on this story, see the Friday issue of the Daily Record.
