HARDWICK – Nineteen Hazen Union students joined 13 Craftsbury Academy students who walked out of school to shout chants, wave signs and rattle noisemakers at the intersection on South Main Street to protest ICE activity in the U.S, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 31.
photo by Claudia Gohl
An adult at the protest provided an improvised drum made out of wood and packing tape. A student banged a pot with a spoon at passing cars, prompting many honks, a few gestures and at least one shout of retaliation.
Craftsbury student Nora van Golden was the transportation coordinator for Craftsbury Academy. She and the other Craftsbury students worked with students at Hazen to organize the protest. “Nobody is too small to make a difference,” said van Golden on why she thought it was important to be out protesting.
“We’ve got to a keep ICE out of America,” another Hazen student commented. “Nobody is illegal on stolen indigenous land.”
Other students added, “Standing up to tyranny makes me remember who really has power;” “I think it’s great to see the new generation here, and to see that they care;” “Families shouldn’t be separated just because the government says so” and “People that kill other people kind of suck.”
Several other students had comments on the quality of the protest itself. “Protesters should be more angry. This is not a time to be happy. It’s time to be p*****,” said a student. “We should’ve had more songs and chants prepared. We should’ve been better rehearsed,” said another.
photo by Rachel Cole
The event was attended by several older community members. “This is a lot more representative of who will actually be affected,” said Annie Gaillard, of the youth at the protest. “At first it seems scary to start a chant, but right now it seems so solid.”
“The next generation is paying attention and I am really proud of these kids for exercising their first amendment rights,” said teacher Kelly Robinson. “Many protests I go to are people my age and older. I’m so proud of them for being engaged, courageous and willing to exercise their first amendment rights.”
photo by Rachel Cole
The walk-out had been advertised at Hazen via posters in the hallways, however the posters had not been approved by the school administration and had to be removed.
Due to a Facebook post alleging that the walkout had been organized by the school, the administration put out a statement correcting the misinformation. Part of the statement read “If students choose to leave class or the building, we treat that as we would any situation where a student departs without authorization.”
No punishments had been given to student participants as of Friday, April 3.
