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MEChA de City College joined students and teachers from Castle Park High School in Chula Vista to protest President Trump’s immigration policies on Tuesday.

The rally, organized by Castle Park High School’s MEChA chapter and AP Spanish club, called on teachers and school administrators to explicitly state they would not comply or cooperate with I.C.E.

As school was letting out, the crowd of around 40 demonstrators carrying signs and flags chanted, “El pueblo unido jamás será vencido! The people united will never be defeated!” Speakers, alternating between English and Spanish, urged those listening to resist the crackdown.

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“Tyranny is upon us and we will not leave our children here to defend themselves,” shouted Marysol Duran, a high school teacher and the San Diego coordinator of the Association of Raza Educators.

Castle Park High School Senior Georgina Perez was one of the main organizers of the event. She said her motivation to act came from her understanding of history and a deep concern for her family.

“The fact that this has been going on for so long and there’s no change, I was like something has to be done,” Perez said.

The Castle Park student organizers started a petition to raise awareness among students, teachers and administrators about the threat these policies posed to the community. The rally built on that momentum.

According to Perez, it took a lot of work and neglecting her schoolwork for a bit, but they brought the community together. She credited the support she found through the clubs for making the event possible.

“Just finding the right group of people, people that really have a voice, because I felt the need to talk,” Perez said. “So going out and finding a good community that shares the same feeling that I do was awesome.” 

Perez said she understands the terror many are feeling but insists that this is no time to be silent.

“Use your voice, because people don’t do that often,” Perez said.  “People are afraid and I completely understand that. The point is to be like, I understand how you feel, let’s find a way to change this.” 

Teachers from Castle Park High School and other schools across San Diego were there to stand with the students. 

“We’re here to support the youth, support the students,” said Aremi Lopez, an elementary school teacher and member of the Association of Raza Educators.  “And them calling out their local school board, district, principles just to be more explicit, explicitly state, publicly state that they are here to defend their students.”

The group has been active recently, patrolling local neighborhoods to prevent ICE raids. Teachers in City Heights interrupted ICE action that morning, according to Lopez. 

Members of the City College and SDSU MEChA chapters were there to show solidarity with their younger comrades. MEChA de City College Chair Rosa Padilla believes these connections are critical to the longevity of the organization.

“We want to keep building that relationship, so when I’m gone, they can keep going,” Padilla said. “The new people have to meet each other. They have to keep this bond going strong.”

Padilla hopes that the event can be a source of strength for those who have had their lives thrown into chaos by the new administration. 

“We want to show the communities that they are not alone,” Padilla said. “I’ve talked to so many people that have expressed genuine fear … By us being here, by the professors being here, by the community being here and gathering, we’re showing that, we are literally voicing that, we are together and we will not be defeated.”