INGLEWOOD, CA, February 3—Hundreds of drivers laid on their horns and city residents streamed out of houses and small businesses to throw their fists in the air as one hundred high school students walked out of school in support of the nationwide day of action for immigrants’ rights.
Since January 20th, racist President Donald Trump has used the liberal fascist Democrats’ immigration machine to maximize terror in working class neighborhoods. While the liberal politicians call for a friendlier deportation system, Progressive Labor Party (PLP) members and teachers in Los Angeles are planting the seeds for a brighter future, providing communist politics to unleash the power of our class, reminding them that we must smash all borders. "This bold pro-student-worker action follows an advisory lesson, led by a PL’er, on fighting deportations and resisting Trump’s racist agenda (CHALLENGE 2/12). It is part of PLP’s ongoing effort to build a culture of resistance in the schools where we work, rooted in communist principles of antiracism, internationalism, and solidarity."
Young workers lead the way!
A nationwide call went out through social media to make February 3rd a “Day Without Immigrants.” Students at one high school in Inglewood jumped into action to plan their participation in this fight back. The social justice club at the school had members who played an instrumental role in strengthening the politics and organization of the action. They reminded other students that although the school is majority students whose families are originally from Mexico, it is critical to broaden the scope to an international perspective as workers across the globe are impacted by the attacks on immigrants. This was messaged through conversations and the chant sheet created. Social justice club members also were able to struggle for a plan that included collaborating with other schools.
Within a day, the plan was set. Students would either stay home and then come to school at the first break of the day or attend school, but walk out at the same time that the first group arrived. Administrators got word of potential walk outs or sit outs and sent messages to families and students that although they understand how the community feels, the goal was still to have 95 percent attendance or better. This did not deter students from their plan. If anything, it enraged them further because it became clear that the school leadership didn’t really care about their well-being as they claim.
The first period classes that morning were about half full. The impact was stark. Many teachers allowed the students who were there to use the first period of the day to make signs, write speeches, practice chants, and continue to organize others to walk out. At the first break, one hundred students streamed out of the front door of the building with eight teachers joining them in support. A second wave of students joined shortly after.
By the middle of the day, only 50 of the 600 student population remained in the building.
March heats up
Initially students planned to march a short way to the stadium nearby. Adrenaline took over though and they snaked through neighborhoods for hours on end, stopping at schools and major intersections across three different cities. At the school stops that were made, students chanted, “Walk out, walk out”. Dozens of additional students at two different schools headed that call and joined the protest, growing to double its size. Additionally, cars started following the march, supporting with honking, music, and sharing water. This eventually grew to a caravan of 15 vehicles stretching the length of the march. When all was said and done, we marched for nearly six hours totaling eleven miles. Students clearly felt empowered and immense pride in the action they took. The next day in the hallways, there were glances, smiles, and nods of approval shared amongst all those who participated.
This walkout was the first student-led response in L.A. county to Trump’s attacks on immigrants. For two weeks following this day, walkouts continued to be held at schools around the county. It was clear the live streaming of this event had a broad impact on our local area.
Struggle is just beginning
Members of the social justice club met immediately after to plan next steps and continue to build on the momentum developed. Students are shooting for a forum on the history of immigration in March and another action uniting the three schools on May 1st. They reflected on struggle, noting the positives and areas where we need growth. The bravery of the students was celebrated, but we also recognized the need for sharper politics through the use of planned speeches. This will be something they will include in future actions.
The school district has cracked down on student actions and teacher support since the walk out. They tried to pacify the students by offering “safe spaces” to voice their concerns during lunch, while also threatening anyone who continued to organize future actions. It was clear to students that administrators and those who run the district will not have their back in this fight. To highlight and honor the students’ bold action, a Party member created an advisory lesson that the entire school presented recognizing student organizing with pictures and video of the event and a chance for students to learn about tactics used in historical examples of student-led struggles (Soweto uprisings, San Francisco State student strike, and more).
The social justice club has grown as a result of the walk out and more students are getting CHALLENGE. Also, members have been invited to a Party forum on immigration coming up in a few weeks. Students from both schools where Party members work will present about their role in organizing the walkout at this event as well. The sustained Party work in the schools here over the last decade strengthened this inspiring event.
Continuing the work here will lead to recruitment of the future gravediggers of capitalism - the system that thrives on using borders to divide and exploit workers. While there is a long road ahead of us, it is the day to day struggle that leads to larger fightbacks, which then lays the groundwork for future revolution to bring about the only world good enough for the working class - communism. With working class youth learning their power and place in that fight, the future is bright!
