'Everyone needs to know how this is affecting students'
Approximately 125 North Penn High School students participated in an anti-ICE walkout during sixth period on Friday, Feb. 6, beginning at the school’s main entrance and walking through the parking lot to line Valley Forge Road.
Met by the support of community members on the opposite side of the street and the honks of passing traffic, the crowd of students rallied with signs in opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and repeated the messages chanted by organizers of the walkout through megaphones.
Signs for protest were provided at the front entrance by the student organizers of the walkout, and all students were encouraged to take them to show their support. “We are skipping our lessons to teach you one,” one sign read.
The line of the hundred students flowing out of the building were led by two North Penn sophomores and organizers of the event, Zerrin Shajahan and a student who asked to be referred to as Ac.
Shajahan took to her megaphone to direct students and lead them in chants such as “no justice, no peace, no ICE in our streets” and “no one is illegal on stolen land.”
“Everyone needs to know how this is affecting students, and everyone should just know that we’re here in solidarity for them,” Shajahan said.
The walkout was, for many North Penn students, a chance to express their voice in the community, and give a voice to those who might not have one.
“There’s so many families that fear going outside because of ICE and the current political climate, and I think it’s really important to get outside for the people who can’t,” Milla Heidt, a North Penn High School senior, shared.
“It’s important to be out here because it’s sending a message that, even though we’re students, we still reserve the right to take part in our democracy and fight against injustice at all levels,” Makaila Holeman,” another senior at North Penn, explained.
In the crowd of students protesting, two were conducting interviews with their peers, representing a different side of the viewpoints commonly shared by the protestors. Wyatt Martin and Mason Charles, both North Penn High School seniors, explained they believe that “communication is key,” even when not everyone necessarily shares the same views.
“I’m a right wing activist personally. I think everyone should have their own opinion, and I think protesting is great for communities, because everyone should be heard. I’m just wondering what everyone here thinks about ICE, and that’s why I’m here; I want to interview everyone, because in America, every voice matters and every vote counts. I think the turnout is pretty impressive, and I’ve heard some interesting views,” Martin explained.
“I was talking to a good friend of mine, and we’re opposing sides on politics, but we always talk because it’s good to hear each side because I’m fed different stuff and he’s fed different stuff. Communication always has been, and always will be, key. I think both sides have to be more easygoing and find more middle ground,” Martin continued.
The walkout lasted until around 1 p.m., in the middle of seventh period when a large group of the students crossed Valley Forge Road and walked to North Penn Market Place just down the street. The remainder of students walked back to the school to return to their schedule.
The plan for a walkout was first shared publicly this past Monday when an Instagram account, @north.penn.for.change, posted a graphic sharing that “This Friday, we will meet in the front entrance of North Penn High School and walk out to the North Penn sign holding anti-ICE posters.”
“Walkouts have been known throughout history as a big form of peaceful protest, and it’s just a good way to spread awareness while staying safe. I was asked by a friend to help with this, and we organized it together. It took a lot of meetings with the school board and with staff, but we worked on a compromise to make sure people are safe and aware,” Ac, who was behind the account, explained.
Subsequent to the Instagram post gaining traction and spreading on social media, principal Kyle Hassler sent out an email Thursday to North Penn families and students regarding the walkout and outlining the handling of the event, noting that students will be marked as skipping class and will not be eligible to make up any missed assignments or tests during the periods skipped.
“These expectations are not intended to discourage student expression, but rather reflect the school’s obligation to uphold attendance and instructional policies during the school day,” Hassler explained in the email.
The email also noted that “alternative options were discussed” for students’ expression.
“What we heard from the students who organized this is that they wanted to engage students and wanted to make their voices heard, and there’s a lot of ways to do that, explained Brandon Rhone, North Penn Coordinator of Emergency Management and Safe Schools.
“There were ideas that were shared, like maybe it’s something community driven and led. The school district does rent its facilities out to organizations, and so there was an organization or a person that wanted to organize an event or a town hall and invite legislators, families with different experiences, that was an option. [There could be] something where maybe there’s information sessions during lunches, or opportunities for breakout type things during lunches where people who want to engage in this work can go and talk about it, and those kinds of ideas,” Rhone continued.
Precautions were taken by administrators by setting up barricades at the front entrance of the parking lot, not allowing vehicular traffic to flow in or out of the school. Additionally, staff and security personnel remained present at the walkout to monitor students’ safety.
“We’re reducing the ability for traffic to become an issue, and reducing the risk of someone being hit by a car just by saying we’re going to shut it down to vehicular traffic to make sure everybody’s safe. If you wait to try to set those things up once people come out, you’ve already lost control. My position is always going to be, we’re going to always err on the side of caution and plan as if it’s five hundred to a thousand kids, because once that many kids walk out the door and we’re not set up, we’ve already lost,” Rhone explained.
“Emotions get high, voices get elevated, and it escalates into an argument. We’ve seen these things across the nation where they have gotten violent, and so my concern was making sure that we try to reduce those opportunities as best as possible, and that’s really why we put plans in place to maintain a set of boundaries for everyone’s safety. We can’t take a position one way or another. We can’t say we will support this event, that’s why it’s not a school district or a North Penn High School sponsored event. The only thing we can do is recognize that this event is happening, we can’t stop it, so we need to make sure we have a plan in place to keep everybody safe.” Rhone said further.
The security who remained with the students who lined the front of the school actively urged students to back away from the street, and reminded students that leaving school property will result in not being allowed back or being able to take advantage of transportation through school buses at dismissal.
Hassler sent an email out at the end of the school day at 2:15 p.m., acknowledging that “the event proceeded calmly and safely. Although it was not school sponsored, NPSD staff and Towamencin Township police were present to ensure safety and order. In the building, NPHS staff ensured appropriate supervision and instruction continued as scheduled for students who chose not to participate.”
“I was so worried that not many people would go. I am so, so glad it got as much outreach as it did, especially with people in the community that showed up to help. I’m glad it stayed safe and people had fun while spreading awareness,” Ac said.
This article and photos are provided in cooperation with The Knight Crier, North Penn High School student newspaper. Joni Stuchko is co-editor in chief.
