More than 100 T.C. Roberson High School students walk out to protest against ICE скачать в хорошем качестве

More than 100 T.C. Roberson High School students walk out to protest against ICE

More than 100 students at T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville participated in a walkout Tuesday morning in protest of recent immigration enforcement operations. This event is part of a nationwide National Day of Action in protest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Trump administration. The group of high school students walked out of T.C. Roberson High School shortly before 11:30 a.m., taking their protest down Long Shoals Road as they marched toward Biltmore Park. Students held handmade signs, chanted slogans and stood along one of South Asheville’s busiest intersections as cars passed by, many drivers honking in support. Several parents also showed up, including Amy Bondzeit, who brought water and snacks and said she wanted to make sure students stayed safe. “They can’t vote, of course, but this is their way of using their voices,” Bondzeit said. “Some of these kids came here hungry. I’m here to support them, make sure they’re hydrated and that everyone is safe.” Bondzeit said watching young people organize and speak out felt like “history in action.” “This is a civics class field trip,” she said. “I couldn’t be more proud.” Senior Sophia Gerwitz said the protest was personal, pointing to fears about deportation affecting people close to her. “This is about my girlfriend and her family basically getting deported,” Gerwitz said. “ICE is affecting so many of our families. I think the next generation needs to step up now before it’s too late.” “They can’t vote, of course, but this is their way of using their voices,” Bondzeit said. “Some of these kids came here hungry. I’m here to support them, make sure they’re hydrated and that everyone is safe.” Bondzeit said watching young people organize and speak out felt like “history in action.” “This is a civics class field trip,” she said. “I couldn’t be more proud.” Senior Sophia Gerwitz said the protest was personal, pointing to fears about deportation affecting people close to her. “This is about my girlfriend and her family basically getting deported,” Gerwitz said. “ICE is affecting so many of our families. I think the next generation needs to step up now before it’s too late.” Gerwitz said students are leaning on each other for support. “We stay with our friends and stand for what we think is right,” she said. “We're the next generation of people leading the world.” Other students echoed that sentiment, saying the walkout was about standing together across backgrounds. Senior Adrian Rovers said she felt directly connected to the issue through her own family history. “If things had gone a worse way, I probably could have been deported,” Rovers said. “This means a lot to me because that’s my people that are threatened. And it’s not just one group, it’s everyone.” Senior Valentine Malson said turning 18 recently changed how they view the world and their role in it. “We don’t have to have it be this way,” Malson said. “We don’t have to treat people like they’re aliens just because they’re from another country. We’re all human.” This rally was fully student-led. News 13 reached out to Buncombe County Schools, which said it was not sponsoring the event. Students said they organized the walkout through peers and social media, describing it as a peaceful demonstration meant to raise awareness and push for compassion toward immigrant communities. “We have to work together as a team,” Malson said. “That’s how society works.” In a statement, Buncombe County Schools said, “BCS has a Code of Character, Conduct, and Support that helps principals navigate student issues.” The district did not specify whether disciplinary action would follow. #highschool #students #protest MORE: https://wlos.com/news/local/dozens-hu... _______________ Follow WLOS on social media: WLOS ABC 13 News on Facebook:   / news13   WLOS ABC 13 News on X: https://x.com/WLOS_13 WLOS ABC 13 News on Instagram:   / wlos_13   Subscribe to WLOS on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ABC13Cha... For all of the day’s top local and national news, visit www.wlos.com Stream our newscasts LIVE: www.wlos.com/watch Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: news@wlos.com Call the Newsroom: 828.684.1340 -- WLOS ABC 13 News serves the Asheville, NC area and the rest of western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina. We keep our audience informed through local news, weather forecasts, traffic updates, notices of community events, sports and entertainment programming since 1954. This video and all Sinclair Broadcast Group content archives of local news and sports coverage are available for your use. For more information contact us at contentsales@sbgtv.com