Walking into the Livermorium Plaza on Friday, Jan. 30, a rhythmic drumming from Livermore High School graduate Stefan Gilbert-O’Neill was heard through the crowd. “I like to bring my drums out and just make a lot of noise, I’m trying to express community, using rhythms to bring people together,” said the percussionist.
Protesters yelling, whistling, honking and chanting created a scene for movement and change demanded by the citizens of Livermore.
Students, teachers, babies, dogs and people, young and old, lined the sidewalk, filling up every corner of the plaza. Raising their signs and their voices.
“We want justice! We want peace! We want ICE off our streets!”
Citizens gathered in the area with signs, showcasing their outrage, rallying together to protest against ICE occupation in the United States. The killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, the abduction of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and every other inhumane act that has been executed in Minneapolis have sparked this fury.
A flyer posted on Jan. 27 by Indivisible Tri-Valley and circulated by both staff and students of the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District encouraged the community to show up and speak out for a cause they believe in.
The flyer called to “STOP ICE TERROR” and informed students that under California Senate Bill (SB) 955, students are excused one absence a year for civic engagement.
A member of the Facebook group “Informed Parents of California” reposted the flyer, informing parents of the event taking place. The post read: “Let’s be honest: Most kids aren’t attending to advocate for immigration reform — they’re taking the day off because it’s a free absence. That’s not civic education; that’s incentivizing skipping school.”
The backlash didn’t discourage protesters, however. Students of LVJUSD showed up for the entire 3 hour and 30 minute protest. Joanne Morrison, a member of Livermore Advocates for Public Education, said that some of the event’s organizers were students themselves.
“People say that the kids are not engaged, but all you gotta do is look around here, and you can see that that’s not true,” Morrison said. “These people are really engaged and enthusiastic. And they know what they’re talking about.”
Retired teacher Jennifer Hayes helped organize the attending protesters, encouraging people to stay away from the street and away from oncoming traffic, all the while greeting some of her old students. The teacher and student volunteers banded together to ensure the safety of attendees.
“I’m super excited about this one because it’s youth-organized,” Hayes said. She added she was there “to support the youth, because the youth are the voice of the future.”
Volunteers stood in front of cars holding signs out to protect people crossing the road. They ensured no one strayed from the designated crosswalk or risked injury by passing vehicles. Some volunteers even adorned neon green or yellow safety jackets, making sure attendees were behaving properly while on the lookout for potential threats.
Most vehicles driving through the intersection consisted of onlookers, some hanging out of their windows with signs and flags, blaring their horns, recording and chanting with people on the sidewalks. But some regarded protesters with opposing expressions, flashing middle fingers at the crowd. They shook their heads and muttered words of discontent.
But the cries for justice continued. Signs were raised aloft. The persistent beat of the drums was joined by the strum of a guitar, the crackle of a microphone. Volunteers performed Green Day’s “American Idiot” live for attendees and passersby.
The Livermorium Plaza became a talking point for the city. Hundreds of people standing on each corner of the intersection, coming together to show people in power that citizens from all walks of life can encourage change.
“It’s so good to see the younger people come,” Gilbert-O’Neill said, his drums unrelenting. “It makes me feel very hopeful for the future.”
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TOP PHOTO: With the advancements in technology and the integration of social media in the political landscape — the sign held counters the 1971 Gil Scott-Heron song “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” The original meaning — the first act of revolution begins within the mind then it takes place in the streets. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/The Express)
Milo Jones is the Editor-in-Chief for The Express. Follow him on X @stayonm4rs.
