Politics & Government
1,100 Livermore Students Walk Out Of School To Protest ICE
About 400 students gathered downtown Tuesday amid increased immigration enforcement in the Tri-Valley, LVJUSD confirmed.
LIVERMORE, CA — Approximately 1,100 students from Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District middle and high schools checked out of school Tuesday to protest the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies, a district spokesperson confirmed.
The walkout comes after ICE arrested three people in Livermore on Thursday, arrests which ICE confirmed. The Alameda County Immigration and Legal Education Partnership also reported an arrest outside the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin on Thursday, and near the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin on Oct. 25 and 30.
On Monday, Alameda County sent a cease-and-desist letter to ICE demanding that agents stop conducting civil immigration enforcement on county property at Santa Rita Jail.
Find out what's happening in Livermorefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
District and school staff and administrators accompanied Livermore students on their way to Lizzie Fountain downtown, where roughly 400 students assembled, LVJUSD spokesperson Sarah DeGroat told Patch. Livermore Police Department personnel monitored the gathering. Patch reached out to the police department for further information.
The California Education Code allows middle and high school students one excused absence per school year to participate in a civic or political event if the school is notified in advance.
Find out what's happening in Livermorefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“Our students have a right to express their views on issues that matter to them, and we recognize the importance of civic engagement,” said LVJUSD Superintendent Dr. Tony Limoges. “Our responsibility is to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, and their safety and well-being remain our top priority. I’m grateful for district and school staff, administrators, and the Livermore Police Department for their efforts to help keep students safe throughout today’s walkout.”
The city of Livermore released a statement Tuesday afternoon noting that it does not direct or coordinate federal operations.
"We want our community to know that the City of Livermore remains committed to ensuring everyone feels safe, supported, and valued, and we are engaging with our federal representatives to share out community's concerns," the city said in a statement that included links to available nonprofit and legal resources. "Our diversity, the respect we show one another, and our shared commitment to supporting our neighbors are part of what makes Livermore home."
KTVU provided footage of the rally, which showed a large crowd holding signs in downtown Livermore. Patch is awaiting word on whether walkouts occurred in other Tri-Valley school districts.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
