NP3 Students Stage Immigration Rally

Students gather in the quad to listen to student and local speakers.

By Isabella Bravo
Co-Editor | The Pacific Times

On Friday, students held an optional rally in the quad to celebrate NP3’s diversity as well as raise awareness and promote conversation about recent changes in immigration policies. 

“My mom was undocumented for a really long time and I remember the fear that struck third grade me when I figured out the results of the (2016) election,” said junior Alexxia Serratos.  

Serratos spearheaded efforts to show support for immigrants and encouraged NP3 High students to participate in the student-led demonstration rather than typical First Friday games organized every first Friday of the month.

Since President Trump was sworn on Jan. 20, he has signed several immigration-related executive orders promised on the campaign trail. He has declared a national emergency at the southern border with Mexico, ended programs meant to assist people legally entering the U.S. such as the “Customs and Border Protect” app, attempted to end birthright citizenship, and has issued arrest quotas for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (also referred to as ICE). More than 5,000 immigrants have been deported since his inauguration, according to news reports.

“I automatically thought that someone was gonna take my mom away. And I know that is a very real possibility for a lot of kids right now in the country,” said Serratos post-rally. “I know the fear and the pain that they feel and I would never want any other child or anyone to feel that way.” 

The rally took place on Feb. 7 in the quad for students to speak up for the issues affecting their communities as a result of Donald Trump’s presidency. 

Students surrounded a podium in the quad, holding up Mexican flags and signs such as “Support not deport families,” “I take my horchata without ICE,” and “No one is illegal on stolen land.”

Three student speakers shared their personal experiences with immigration and the fear and frustration they feel. Sacramento City Councilmember Lisa Kaplan, District 1, and Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes, District 3, also attended the rally and shared their experiences and thoughts to students. 

“In Sacramento we’re going to teach to love each other, support each other, and defend each other,” Talamantes shouted to students during her speech. Talamantes represents the area of the city from Garden Highway to Arena Boulevard.

Sacramento Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes speaks to students at immigration demonstration rally.

“For me as vice mayor it’s important to uplift, support, and promote youth voices,” she said afterwards. “We have four years of a Trump administration…People are worried about their human rights. It’s important for me to uplift immigrants as a person in position of power.”

“This needs to be known about what exactly is going on,” said a junior, one of the several hundred students in attendance.

Prior to the event, students posted flyers and advertised on social media for those who wanted to attend the optional rally.

“It’s beautiful to see everyone who was cheering us on and supporting the cause and the fight,” said Serratos. 

Students who support Trump and his policies, which was apparent by their apparel, also attended the peaceful rally. 

Members of Latinos Unidos, a student-run club for Latin American students, began to share their experiences with immigration and their fears for a new era in the U.S. prior to the event during informational Tuesday lunch meetings to educate about their rights as well as poster-making tutorials held in preparation for the event.  

“I wanted people to take away hope and to not feel alone in this because there many friends and families I know are dealing with this,” said a Latinos Unidos member who is a senior at a lunch meeting held on Jan. 23. “It’s not only a hypothetical situation, but it’s a reality now. Trump’s administration declared they are going to sensitive locations and not just stopping them on the side of the road. They’re going to hospitals, they’re going to schools, they’re going to churches. They’re crossing the line in my opinion.” 

In response to Trump’s executive orders, the Natomas Unified School District reaffirmed their commitment to the “Safe Haven Resolution,”stating that they are committed to protecting all students and families. 

“If everyone that sees this can take one thing away is to become informed, register to vote, vote for things you believe in, no matter what,” said Serratos. 

“Do not stay silent,” added Talamantes. “History repeats itself. It’s up to us to change the direction of it.”

Student speaker share about her and her family’s immigration experience.