Immigration activism and fear deflate attendance at LA schools

Attendance at Los Angeles Unified dropped to 66% Monday amid protests in support of immigrants and against enforcement action promised by President Donald Trump in his second term.

Superintendent Albert Carvalho said at a press conference Tuesday that yesterday’s attendance was 20% lower than a typical Monday — equivalent to 80,000 students.

He attributed the absences to both activism and fear.

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“I’m asking parents, please send your children to school,” Carvalho said. “Schools are safe.”

LAUSD declared itself a “sanctuary district” in 2016 during Trump’s first administration; its policy is not to share information or cooperate with immigration authorities. The district is distributing information about individuals’ Constitutional rights to families and training educators.

The district said in a statement that it was aware of walkouts at more than 10 campuses Tuesday.

Carvalho said students who want to protest should do it on campus.

“They can go on to the athletic fields, speak their mind, voice their position, without putting themselves at risk,” Carvalho said. “They have the support of our entire community of Los Angeles Unified.”

But students who walked out of Marshall High School Tuesday said the visibility of marching through the surrounding Los Feliz neighborhood was part of their goal.

“Power starts within the people, that's my belief,” said junior Sofia. “Even if it's just small for right now, it's just a school walkout, it's still doing something. It's still getting our voices out here and making a change.”

LAist agreed not to use the students’ last names because some are minors and others worried about putting undocumented family members at risk.

“It's important to raise our voices and express the fear we have,” said senior Johanna. “I have two undocumented parents. It's really sad. I stay home at night thinking if my dad will come home. I cry at night. I cry if my mom will come home.”

The sign she carried read: “This is a movement. Not a moment.”

“We decided to put this on our poster to show everyone that this really is a movement of courage and expression,” Johanna said. “It's just not… ‘Oh, we want to ditch school. We just want it for the pictures.’ No. It’s a movement of courage and bravery.”

Two Los Angeles Police Department officers monitored the protest. Some students said their presence felt threatening while others posed for pictures with the officers.

Officer Ivan Gracia said the officers didn’t issue any citations.

“ We're just here to make sure [the students] don't get hit by cars,” Gracia said.

A few students said they joined the walkout despite their parents’ misgivings about missing class.

“They did not want me to go,” freshman Grey said. “But I was able to convince them — I might get grounded — but it's special to me, and I wanted to fight, so my voice and everybody else's voice can be heard.”