Colton, CA—Emboldened by their first effort on Jan. 21, last Friday, Jan. 23, approximately 20 CHS students protested against federal Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along Rancho Avenue from 4-7:30 p.m. 

With this protest, the group gained increased support. One of those who came out to support them was an off-duty district security officer.

Sophomore organizer Jeremiah Buena was proud of the effort. “We don’t want to focus on negative stuff. We want to focus on the positive stuff,” he said. “We just stand tall and we just focus on the good stuff.”

The protest began at a steady pace, with six of the previous protesters returning, accompanied by security guard Marty Vega. The protest started in front of Colton High School, then moved up and down Rancho Avenue.

Accounts of ICE detaining members of the local community, combined with current ICE and Border Patrol activities in Minneapolis, inspired the student’s activism.

In light of current events surrounding ICE, Marty Vega stated, “I am totally against, not ICE itself, but in how they are executing their powers right now, in today’s political environment under President Donald Trump. The abuse of power, how they are not utilizing their title and authority in what I feel is a lawful way.”

Junior Hiliana Serrano shared, “Some of my family members did recently get deported, which is honestly really depressing.”

As the protest continued, traveling around the block and returning to the area in front of the school, the protesters’ numbers grew.

Unlike at the Wednesday protest in which some community members demonstrated their dissent for the protestors message, Friday’s efforts were conflict-free. The group even received support from the Taco Bell on the corner of Rancho and Valley, who provided the protestors with food..

“I’m proud of everyone who came out tonight. Really appreciate y’all,” Jeremiah Buena said as the protest came to an end.