Phoenix students walk out, march toward Capitol to protest immigration bill

by Pat Kossan and Kiali Wong - Mar. 4, 2011 01:52 PM
The Arizona Republic

Students from several Phoenix-area high schools walked out of classes late Friday morning and began a trek to the Arizona State Capitol to protest anti-immigration legislation. By 1 p.m. about 100 students had managed to make it to the Capitol mall and were protesting in small, scattered groups, some shouting, "Education not deportation."

The students are protesting SB 1611. The immigration bill makes numerous substantive changes to immigration law, including requiring public schools to check a child's immigration status before enrolling in public school.

"Why are they trying to take our education away?" asked protester Francisco Papia, 16, a student at Metro Tech High School in Phoenix. "I know we're here without documentation, but the reason we came to America is for a better life."

Dansia Villela, 14, was required to sign out of Metro Tech to join the protest.

"Our teachers understand. They know everything that is happening," Villela said. "They just told us to be safe."

The walkout was sparked by a text message that began to spread Thursday night. School officials intercepted another message sent Friday morning that read: "SB1611. Walk out today. 11:30 Capitol."

It sparked groups of 50 to 100 students at some Phoenix Union High School District campuses to leave class and start the long march to the Capitol. At North and Carl Hayden high schools, principals and other administrators ran after the students, met with them along their route and coaxed them back to campus, district spokesman Craig Pletenik said.

"Most of them have already returned," Pletenik said about noon. "Apparently some of the kids left early because it's a long walk. We encouraged students not to walk out with announcements as soon as we got the word."

The students' walkout will be treated as an unexcused absences, but most students were gone for only one or two class periods, Pletenik said.

"There's a time and place, and walking out of school is sending the wrong message if you're upset about something because school's the institution where things can change and the future can improve," Pletenik said.

Tolleson Union High School District in the West Valley was on alert Friday morning after students told teachers to expect students to walk out because of the Capitol protest, said Karyn Eubanks, assistant to the superintendent.

"There were rumblings this morning, but I haven't heard from any principals that any students walked out," Eubanks said.

Students also stayed in class at Glendale Union High School, a district spokeswoman Kim Mesquita said.

SB 1611 was passed by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 23 and has not been heard by the full Senate.

"This state Legislature continues to introduce divisive legislation, and now our students are scared, threatened and are taking desperate actions by walking out of class to march to the state Capitol," Sen. Steve Gallardo said. "SB 1611 is unconstitutional and is nothing but politicking."

Reporters Mary K. Reinhart and Ginger Rough contributed to this story
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