School-wide Walkout in Protest of Recent ICE Shootings

On Friday, January 30th, school was cancelled across the Denver Metro area due to a nationwide protest against ICE. The ICE raids have been occurring across the U.S., and are personally affecting Colorado, and now Colorado is speaking out along with the rest of the victims. For about 10 months, these raids have been spiraling into a violent misuse of power that tears apart the basic rights to “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” that the Declaration of Independence promises to every person. Families and people everywhere have been reeling in distress and struggle over losing grandparents, children, siblings, cousins, coworkers, and students. This massive and increasing loss has sprung communities into action, and in Denver, our teachers, parents, and even students took their days to show support to the families who have lost those close to them, and fight back against ICE and a government that is becoming destructive to those very rights.

Around 6 pm on January 29th, the community was notified of the nationwide protest, which led to school closures and a reduction of school hours. For APS, instead of having this week be a 4-day week as planned, they decided to take the Friday APS was originally going to have off and move it up to the week of the protest, out of fear that there weren’t going to be enough teachers to staff all of the students. Around 8:00 at night, families were alerted to the surprise closure, and students had the day off while teachers had the workday. The alert stated that there was a dangerously low number of staff and that “students would not be able to be taught safely.” So, every school in APS and Pickens Technical College got the day off. This caused discourse among staff and students, with some not fully grasping the capacity of this issue, and targeting their anger towards the date of our original off day being changed to accommodate the protest.

But what did people do with their day off? Some of our teachers went to the protest in Lincoln Park to participate in the protest, and rightfully so. In a country where, as the Declaration of Independence says, governments get “their just powers from the consent of the governed,” these walkouts and protests are one way people show that they do not consent to what ICE is doing in their communities. Lots of teachers took leave, and student absences were excused all day, because they understood that, as human beings, we can’t just sit here and stand by while we watch something as immoral as killing someone—just because they are slightly opposed. Our community has been violated, and by speaking out we are doing what the Declaration describes: using our right to push back when a government becomes destructive of people’s safety and happiness.

Declaration of Independence, 1776: “…that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.” Today, many people in Denver feel that ICE raids are destroying families’ rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. By canceling school, walking out, and marching, our community is using the very power the Declaration talks about: the right to stand up and demand that our government change.

The ICE Out protests and school closures across the Denver metro area weren’t just about missing a day of classes—they were a powerful reminder that our community refuses to stay silent while people’s rights are being violated. By walking out, canceling school, and gathering in places like Lincoln Park, teachers, students, and families showed that they are willing to use their voices and their time to stand up for “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” for everyone, not just a few. The Declaration of Independence says that when a government becomes destructive to people’s safety and happiness, it is the people’s right to demand change. That is exactly what happened on January 30th. Our community turned a normal school day into a statement: we will not accept fear, family separation, and injustice as the price of living in this country. Instead, we will continue to protest, to speak out, and to push for a future where all families can live without the constant threat of being torn apart.