In a wave of youth-led activism sweeping through Contra Costa County, students from multiple high schools are taking a bold stand against federal immigration enforcement policies. On February 6, hundreds of students from Antioch schools, including Dozier-Libbey Medical High School and Deer Valley High School, walked out of their classrooms to peacefully protest ICE’s actions.

Organized by passionate 12th graders like Aranza Reyes, Zia Hernandez, Rachelle Leon, and Rosselyn Arzeta, the protest was a powerful demonstration of student solidarity. The young activists coordinated across school districts, using social media to spread their message and mobilize their peers.

Rachelle Leon, one of the key organizers, shared her deeply personal motivation: “My biggest inspiration was my family, and also knowing thousands of immigrants and Americans are going through the same situation. A lot of people are scared to speak up because of fear of family separation”.

The protest was part of a broader regional movement responding to fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis. Students from schools in San Ramon, Lafayette, Brentwood, Orinda, Walnut Creek, Concord, and Pleasant Hill have also participated in similar walkouts.

Dozier-Libbey’s Principal Blair Wilkins supported the students’ right to peaceful protest, referencing Martin Luther King Jr’.s approach to civic engagement. The students marched nearly two hours, ending at the Walmart supercenter, carrying handmade signs and chanting slogans of unity and justice.

A Deer Valley student, speaking anonymously, captured the collective sentiment: “I didn’t want to just complain online … being there felt like actually doing something”. Another student noted the empowering nature of collective action, feeling that their opinions matter and that they are not alone in their beliefs.

Rosselyn Arzeta powerfully summarized the protest’s core message: “Without immigrants, there is no America. It’s upsetting to see people being divided when immigrants do so much for this country”.

These student-led protests demonstrate the growing political consciousness of Bay Area youth, who are increasingly using their voices to challenge systemic injustices and demand meaningful social change.