This peaceful walkout, organized by the Puente Club, started at the base of the stairs behind the 2400 building. Attendees and organizers walked through the interior of the 2100 building, then back outside and around building 1800. Past students. Past professors. Past staff. Past manicured lawns and posh lounges. Past all the symbols of security, of community college comfort. Their numbers grew with matriculation. The protesters weren’t chanting. Or singing. Or even really talking.
But they were loud. For a population who presently feels unheard, their presence articulated support. Their action punctuated their allegiance. The first campus protest of President Donald Trump’s second term ended near the bus stop in front of the 1600 building. At the marquee bearing the school’s name.
“It reaffirmed why I made the decision to come to this school,” LPC Student Government President Angelo Mercado said. “Moments like these, especially when the political environment is just very uneasy and kind of confusing, it really represents how beautiful of a community we have.”
VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS: With the increase in I.C.E. presence, especially nearby, immigrants are increasingly afraid of speaking out for fear of exposure. The protest was designed to speak out for them. (Photo by Raina Dent/ The Express)
The protest on campus March 3 sought to give a voice to LPC’s immigrant population, who might feel without one. And with America’s political climate largely antithetical to the livelihoods of Hispanic and Latino immigrants and their families — the walkout was a show of solidarity.
As was promised during his campaign, the second Trump administration has moved quickly to detain and remove noncitizens close the southern border and make local and state cooperation with I.C.E. compulsory. Puente Club leadership planned Monday’s protest following the President’s inauguration.
In a March 1 post, representatives of the Puente Club publicized the walkout as peaceful and reaffirming of “Las Positas College’s commitment to supporting immigrant students.” The club — in its own words — doesn’t speak for the school.
Nevertheless, it was a gesture that not only matters to LPC — as a representation of how a campus supports its own — but to these specific students. As I.C.E. arrests sharply increase, the safety of this population is increasingly precarious. Which leaves their voice impeded as using it could lead to their exposure to immigration enforcement. So, on a windy afternoon in Livermore, their peers walked for them.
Las Positas is a designated Hispanic Serving Institution. It is also a dedicated sanctuary school. Monday, it acted like one.
“For all of us who are here, there are other students who are afraid to speak out,” said Michelle Gonzalez, a popular English professor and Puente Club advisor. “We are here to show them that they are supported.”
Here, in that moment, referred to a lounge inside the 1000 building. Previously conversing students — either sitting on the benches or couches or standing against a wall — paused their conversations. Some looked at the passing group expressionless. Others smiled. Some just read the protester’s signs.
On one was written in red, black and green sharpie: “I like ICE in my horchata, not in schools!” Another read, “The only immigrant ruining this country” with an arrow pointing to Elon Musk’s Sieg Heil.
The protest nearly doubled in size as it weaved through campus. Around 20 people joined the walk as it progressed.
It was “awesome” for Felipe Ponce Sr. to see. Ponce, who’s in his first year teaching Ethnic Studies at Las Positas, is the son of immigrants.
“Seeing the numbers that are out here is pretty amazing,” he said. “But we’ve gotta be louder and stronger, and try to bring more folks into the fold, as well.”
MARQUEE MOMENT: The walk ended at the front of the school’s central building. There, several gave speeches and information about protecting immigrants from the current climate of attack. (Photo by Olivia Fitts/ The Express)
At the marquee — the walk’s last stop — speeches were given by leaders of the Puente Club. President Yazmin Martinez Portilla, Vice President Keryln Diaz and Secretary Brittany Robles Camacho all spoke.
Portilla started by “clearing up that this is a student-organized, student-led walkout,” she said. “And we do not speak for Las Positas or the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District.”
She talked about the increase in I.C.E. raids since Trump has taken office. And how this is a “major moment in history.” How Las Positas college serves a 30.6% Hispanic and Latino student body. And that “right now, there’s an unfortunate conversation being had as to whether or not we should keep that HSI title, because it might place a target on our backs.” She finished by reminding listeners of their constitutional rights, explaining what to do if approached by I.C.E.
Do not open the door, she said. Or answer any questions. Don’t sign anything before speaking to a lawyer, either. And if you’re outside of your home when approached by I.C.E., she said, ask if you’re ok to go. If the enforcement officer says yes, leave immediately.
Three attendees spoke. One of whom was holding the Elon Musk poster. Another, second-year Las Positas student Dylan Rogers, felt “it’s important for me to not just sit back and watch.”
As the speaking concluded, participants were invited to add their hand-print to a giant poster. It was laid out in front of the LPC signage. A line formed in front of it, each person waiting to flip their palm up and have it painted by a Puente club member.
Written on the poster in permanent ink, surrounded by colorful hands: “EDUCATION NOT DEPORTATION.”
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TOP PHOTO: The peaceful walkout around campus on March 3 featured signs with messages such as this: “Don’t Let Your Privilege Block Your Empathy.” (Photo by Olivia Fitts/ The Express)
Olivia Fitts is the News Editor and Features Editor for The Express. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @OLIVIAFITTS2.
