Students across Maine participated in the national strike against immigration enforcement today by staying home, walking out of school and protesting.
Dozens of Lewiston High School students walked out and were joined by community members as they marched downtown to Kennedy Park.
Organizer Perola Meli said she was nervous about coming to the protest because immigration enforcement knocked on her door Thursday night.
"I, like, saw that they kept knocking, and I just, like, didn't, like, open the door, like I closed all the lights, and then he eventually just ended up leaving," said Meli.
Meli said that though she was nervous she wanted to turn out and protest for everyone who couldn't be there.
Lewiston is the only predominantly nonwhite high school in the state, according to Principal Jonathan Radtke.
Organizer Fatimah Alzamili, said the students reached out to the police, Bates students and community organizations for support because safety was their main priority.
"A lot of people were actually did not come because they were scared the ICE was going to be here. So we wanted to make sure that we could ensure safety as much as we could," Alzamili said.
Lewiston police stood by along the route to Kennedy Park.
Students in Portland, Scarborough and Yarmouth also joined the strike by skipping school and attending the protest in downtown Portland.
✍️+📸 Madi Smith/Maine Public See less
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Comments
Susan E Fricker
You cannot say they are doing this to get out of school early….this is not a hot beach day by the many gorgeous places around Lewiston…THIS is going out to a very uncomfortable environment just to make a major point for them and many many others. Snow and single digit weather would hold most back. Shows even more how important this is to them. 👍🏼❤️
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Catherine Wright Colby
Learning where our power lies is never a waste. I remember participating in a walk out at Deering High school in the mid 80's. Never felt so committed or powerful in my life. We need to know how to access our power when we need it. Thank you to all who sacrificed to show solidarity today. THIS is our America!
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Jesse Paquin
Good for them, and they’re even doing it knowing they will have bullies mocking them like many in the comments section. Hopefully they remember the best way to deal with bullies is to outperform them in every category, and I don’t doubt they will.
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Julie Lankford
These children are the future, whether they are left/ right, gay/ straight, it doesn't matter. They should stand up for what they believe in!! They are watching the same news you are and thinking for themselves and that is great!
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Sally Woodward Hoyt
This is an amazing Civics lesson.
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Les Albertson
All these kids know it it’s a day off
Dana Perron
I remember having a skip day to protest something back in The late 70’s, I really don’t remember the cause but this just goes to show you any excuse to get out of school!
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Charlene George
Everyone is getting involved! The cheeto must be terrified 😨
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Melissa E. Nott
So proud of the youth today! Both high schools from towns I currently live and lived in before had walk outs at the local high schools. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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Dinah-Marie Bouthot
They didn't "walk out", they left school at 2pm which is the end of the school day.
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Robert Miller
Like she really like closed the lights like and didn’t like get scared like and then hid like Ann like Frank like.
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Vivian Matkivich
Some of the comments from this community make me wonder what they learned in school. It seems like they ever read a good book or had a civics class. I am heartened to see these young citizens wield their power wisely in courageously.
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Jo Jo
But can they actually sign their name?
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Kurt Hafford
In her story, she said they were them, and then it went from them to he so was there many or was it just one person or did she just make this all up?
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Sally McQuade
No, they’re standing up for justice.
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Jonathan Trimmer
Using your kids as a political pawn is disgusting .
Rebecca L. Doody
Across maine? Northern mass maybe
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Maureen Allen
This will empower them into their future! They will be next generation voting! Way to go!!
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Rebecca Rogers
Exactly why no one has a work ethic anymore.
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Alan Pike
Dozens huh you mean 24
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Paul Woodman
I heard kindergartens preschoolers were also planning walk-out
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Mark Martel
So, just another day of kids bunking...
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Jesse Petty
They just wanted to get out of school lol. I would've done the same thing 😂
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Ellen Kr
Not all heros wear capes.
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Sheyanne Drake
My question is if the state is talking about going back to remote learning because students are scared how are they not scared out there on the side walk ?
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Melanie Cook
A huge thank you to our youth of America!
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Jessica Laracy
So proud of the young people who showed up today to refuse fascism
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Scott Giguere
Love these kids!
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Donald Libby
Look at me mom!🙄🙄
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Steve Lowit
Just looking for attention.
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Lisa Lyons-Rogers
Oh boy, look at that huge crowd 😳 😆
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Sandy Morin
Great job!!!
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Michelle Wurgler
Way to go, proud of you all!
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Cyndie Holland
I'm proud that our youths are interested in our country and its people. They are our future! TY!
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Dee Spear
Ray Alma Yes this is kind of funny
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Diana Withrow Holstein
Thank you from West Virginia, US.
