LOS ANGELES — Hundreds of educators gathered in downtown Los Angeles on Saturday, urging the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to enhance protections for students and families against federal immigration actions. The march, organized by United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), drew significant attention as demonstrators chanted slogans such as “ICE out of L.A.” and “immigrants are welcome here.”
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The demonstrators marched approximately a quarter-mile to the LAUSD headquarters, highlighting their message of advocacy. Their demands centered on the safety and well-being of students of color and their families, emphasizing the fear and disruption caused by ICE raids.
UTLA Calls for Enhanced Policies to Protect Immigrant Students
“They have waited outside of our campuses. They have tried to enter our schools and sought families attending their child’s graduation ceremony,” Maria Miranda, representing UTLA, said during the rally. Miranda and other speakers outlined the need for the school district to take stronger measures to safeguard students, reports ABC7.
Although the LAUSD board voted in June to reaffirm district campuses as sanctuary spaces, UTLA contends that these measures are insufficient, reports KTLA. Rally attendees called on the district to adopt more robust safety policies before the academic year begins in less than two weeks.
Proposals from UTLA and its supporters include:
- Enforcing a two-block perimeter around schools where federal agents are not permitted.
- Providing essential food and personal supplies to students and families impacted by immigration issues.
- Offering virtual learning opportunities for immigrant students.
- Collaborating with local and state leaders to return deported students to their communities.
Personal Stories Highlight Challenges
Educators and students at the rally shared first-hand accounts of how immigration enforcement has disrupted lives. One teacher recounted the experience of a student who had been deported after being taken into custody alongside their mother during an immigration appointment.
The rally coincided with a recent federal appeals court decision that upheld a lower court ruling blocking the Trump administration from conducting indiscriminate immigration arrests. This legal victory was a significant point of discussion among attendees.
Most Americans Oppose Immigration Raids in Schools
Public opinion largely aligns with the concerns raised by UTLA and rally participants. According to a recent survey, 64% of Americans strongly oppose the arrest of undocumented immigrants on K-12 school campuses. Only 18% strongly support such actions by ICE, reflecting widespread discomfort with these tactics in educational settings.
