Hundreds of students from La Habra and Sonora High Schools marched to La Habra City Hall on January 30, joining a coordinated National Shutdown Day of Action. The protests were organized in response to recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in the area and the tragic incidents involving ICE agents in Minneapolis. Activists emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform and justice.

In Irvine, students participated in the national walkout despite a directive from the Irvine Unified School District urging staff to implement lockdown procedures when ICE agents were on campus. The district’s memo emphasized student safety and directed staff to prevent ICE agents from entering school grounds.

Students at San Clemente High School also joined in, staging a protest from noon until 3 pm. In Huntington Beach, students marched from their campus to the pier along Main Street, with a strong turnout. There were also demonstrations in Santa Ana and Long Beach, reflecting widespread concerns over immigration enforcement practices.

One protester captured the sentiments of many, stating, “People are outraged that ICE is brutalizing individuals who are not even resisting arrest. They are tearing families apart without allowing them to track each other’s locations, and they are harassing U.S. citizens who resemble their targets. This situation goes far beyond simply ‘protecting our borders and enforcing the law.’”

In a show of solidarity, students from Fullerton High School held a separate protest at the intersection of Harbor and Chapman. This demonstration was part of a larger national movement, with student-led protests reported in 47 states. These coordinated efforts highlight a growing concern regarding immigration policies and their effects on communities.