Hundreds of high school students from across the East Bay walked out of class today and poured onto Hesperian Boulevard in San Leandro, briefly clogging traffic as they protested U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The student-led demonstration kicked off in the Walmart parking lot near Bayfair, quickly drawing onlookers and local TV helicopters overhead.
According to ABC7, the action began in the Walmart parking lot on Hesperian Boulevard and drew students from six high schools in San Lorenzo, Hayward, and Berkeley. Sky7 aerial footage in the report showed crowds stretched along the median and sidewalks, with some students stepping into traffic and clustering in front of a nearby Starbucks.
National Tensions Feed Local Protests
The walkout unfolded amid a wave of demonstrations nationwide after recent deadly shootings involving federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, which have intensified scrutiny of enforcement operations. As The Guardian has reported, protests spread following the Jan. 24 killing of Alex Pretti and earlier incidents in the city.
School District Resources And Safety
The San Leandro Unified School District's website notes that the district provides resources for immigrant students and families and highlights mental health and support services across its schools. The online materials list links to legal support, counseling and family services that the district says are available to families regardless of immigration status.
Sky7's aerial video underscored the size of the turnout and tracked how the march snaked along Hesperian Boulevard; ABC7 included shots of students occupying medians and sidewalks while traffic slowed around them. Local officials and organizers may issue further statements as coverage continues.
