Los Angeles students hold walkout, call for unity post election
EAST LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Hundreds of students held a walkout Monday morning, demanding protection for those they say are being targeted by President-elect Donald Trump's supporters.
Garfield High School students were seen holding signs and flags as they marched through East Los Angeles.
In addition to Garfield, organizers of the walkout said students from Mendez High School, Roosevelt High School, Esteban Torres High School, Wilson High School and Lincoln High School were participating.
Approximately 300 - 400 students left their schools around 8:30 a.m., marched to Mariachi Plaza, and then arrived outside City Hall for a rally.
"For the protection and the safety of our community and to make sure that no one ever feels alienated," Karen Perez, a senior at Roosevelt High School said. "Making a safe environment, not only on our campus, but most importantly in our community."
Along the way, several California Highway Patrol officers were seen posted at freeway ramps to make sure demonstrators did not attempt to block traffic.
The group remained peaceful and said they have a clear message for the president-elect.
"The message is that we will not accept Trump's sexism, racism, his put-down on LGBT folk, people of color, immigrants, basically minorities," said Arlene Contreras, a student at Mendez High School.
Those participating in the walkout want officials with the county and the school district to take action. They want schools and communities to be protected from people who they say are being targeted by supporters of Trump.
School faculty members were also present during the walkout but said they were only there to make sure the students were safe and obeying the laws. They said they were not supporting or denouncing the protest and were simply facilitating safety.
The Los Angeles Police Department released a statement asking parents to discourage their children from participating, because it's difficult to ensure the safety of children when they leave the safe confines of their school campuses.
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Michelle King released a statement about the walkout, saying, in part:
"It is critical that students not allow their sentiments to derail their education or their actions to place them in danger. Students should limit their activities to non-instructional time and -- for their own safety and to follow the law -- they should remain on campus."
Students also marched in protest of the election results on Monday at California State University, San Bernardino.
Over the weekend, approximately 8,000 demonstrators gathered in downtown Los Angeles to form the largest anti-Trump rally to date since Election Day.
