Thread: Phoenix Students Walk out, March to Protest Immigration Bill

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
http://www.azcentral.com/community/phoe ... z1Fk1onOvc

"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."

because American taxpayers are sick and tired of paying for you and you shouldn't expect a better life at our expense.

March March March March right back to Mexico and go to school. The United States taxpayers cannot afford you anymore. If we took In everyone that wanted a better life for themselves we would have a TRILLION people here. It Is coming to a screeching halt.... sorry,times up

Originally Posted by busygirl

"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."

because American taxpayers are sick and tired of paying for you and you shouldn't expect a better life at our expense.

God, the sense of entitlement of this second generational crime wave primarily from SOB is beyond breathtaking.

The sheer arrogance from their president is totally insane as well. What the hell is wrong is these delusional, arrogant asshats?

"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."

Glad you asked...because your quest for a so called "better life" is destroying this country! Why don't you go home to mexico, your rightful country of citizenship, and protest that country for a so called "better life!"

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

These teachers should find a new profession or a new union.

Originally Posted by Newmexican

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

These teachers should find a new profession or a new union.

NO these teachers do not understand anything What don't they understand about ILLEGAL Go to Mexico and teach If you support the Illegal Invaders. We don't need traitors to our own people here

Originally Posted by NoBueno

"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."

Glad you asked...because your quest for a so called "better life" is destroying this country! Why don't you go home to mexico, your rightful country of citizenship, and protest that country for a so called "better life!"

Because they know they don't have to. They most likely already know they will be allowed to continue to stay right here and even raise a family some day.

Sorry to say that, but from what I see, it is all too true.

Originally Posted by GoodOleDays

Originally Posted by NoBueno

"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."

Glad you asked...because your quest for a so called "better life" is destroying this country! Why don't you go home to mexico, your rightful country of citizenship, and protest that country for a so called "better life!"

Because they know they don't have to. They most likely already know they will be allowed to continue to stay right here and even raise a family some day.

Sorry to say that, but from what I see, it is all too true.

Unfortunately, (as much as it pains me to admit) what you say is true. These junior illegal invaders will be allowed to remain and start making their own family of anchor babies, where the cycle continues in perpetuity.

We need to give the students a helping hand. Since they walked all that way lets give them a bus ride...back over the border. Take those teachers who think we need to educate the world with you too. Your breaking the law being here illegally, your breaking the economy of every state by leaching off of they system. Your family does not respect the law because if they did they would not have come here in the first place. ALL illegals have but one right... that is to be deported. You do not deserve education, jobs, medical treatment or social services of any type. Your deserve to be educated in themeaning of what illegal means. It means you are a criminal being here. NO AMNESTY for you NO DREAM ACTS, and NO free citizenship and permission to stay here by having an ANCHOR BRAT.