Woodburn High School students walked out Tuesday afternoon in solidarity with immigrant students, as the board made a decision that drew backlash late last month. (Jaime Valdez/Woodburn Independent)

Draped in Mexican flags, armed with posters reading “Keep ICE out of our schools” and chanting “No borders, no nations, stop the deportations,” approximately 40 Woodburn High School students walked out of class Tuesday afternoon, March 4.

The walkout comes after the Woodburn school board rejected a resolution last week that expressed support for the safety and protection of the district’s immigrant students. Three members of the board — Noemi Legaspi, Rosie Burkoff and Lisa Carr — voted against the resolution, citing a need for more information on the topic and concerns over legality and loss of federal funding.

“We shouldn’t fear school,” Woodburn High School student Yamilett Cabrera said during the demonstration. “School should be a safe place, and we all belong in school.”

Cabrera and her friend Emily Cabanas said they chose to walk out Tuesday to show their support for fellow students, regardless of immigration status.

“Even if some people are here as citizens, most of them are scared, and whether or not (they are citizens), we should support them,” Cabanas said.

Cabanas also had a request for the Woodburn school board: “Make the right choices and make everyone feel welcome.”

As the students reached the plaza, they were greeted by live Spanish music in the square and support from multiple community members who had joined the students’ protest. Cars honked in support as they drove by, and students yelled “Viva Mexico” out of a passing school bus.

Jessica Scott, a Woodburn High School alumni, attended the protest to speak out against the school board members and support the students.

“As an alumni, I feel like our community always stands together and always comes out to show up for Woodburn students. After I watched the school board meeting and saw Noemi take the stand that she did, I was heartbroken. She was my high school counselor…I thought she was an ally,” Scott said. “Now that she’s on a board, to say that it’s too political and that she wants to stay neutral, it’s like newsflash: Education is for all. Access to education is political. The school board is political. So if you don’t want to be political, step down.”

Woodburn’s Acting Police Chief Jason Millican and another officer also stopped by the downtown plaza to observe the student’s demonstration. He spoke to members of the crowd and also offered to answer questions from the community.

“(I’m here to) protect everybody’s First Amendment rights. I came here to maybe talk with some people and visit,” Millican said. “We don’t have an active role here.”

Millican also told the Woodburn Independent that the department is standing firm in its earlier message on immigration.

“We’re going to follow the law, and I expect my people to do the same,” he said at the demonstration. “That message is not going to change.”

In January, Millican said Woodburn officers will continue to uphold Oregon’s sanctuary state laws amid President Donald Trump’s immigration executive orders, stating that while there are fears over immigration crackdowns in the community, the police department will continue to serve and protect all Woodburn residents.

Oregon is by law a sanctuary state, meaning that Oregon public bodies, including public school districts and police departments, cannot inquire about immigration status or be involved in federal immigration enforcement efforts, according to the Oregon Department of Justice.

As the protest winded down, five students gathered on a stage in the gazebo to read speeches and address their fellow protesters. The speakers discussed how the school board’s recent decision has caused fear among immigrant students and families and showed a disregard for the lives and well-being of the district’s students.

“It’s important that the school board promote safety and a sense of belonging to every student,” said Ana Felix, a Woodburn High School student. “I love my community in Woodburn, Oregon, deeply and feel a strong sense of responsibility to protect the children here. It’s important that we all come together and support one another and create a safe environment for young kids.”

Aleida Robles, a WHS senior and walkout organizer, spoke about the power her fellow students have to make the school board listen to their sentiments.

“ I really strongly believe that students’ voices need to be heard because we hold so much power, especially in these board meetings where these elected officials think that they can just make decisions based on their individualistic beliefs and ideologies,” Robles said. “I think the students are the ones who run this and not the elected officials, and I want them to know that our fight will never die.”

On Thursday, March 6, the board will hold a special meeting to revote on whether they want to reaffirm the school district’s message to protect all students’ safety, regardless of immigration status. The students plan to support their peers later this week at the meeting.