JHS Students Protest in Downtown Durham

On Friday, November 21st, hundreds of high school students gathered near the bull statue in downtown Durham to protest the presence of ICE and border patrol in the Triangle. Students from a variety of Durham and Chapel Hill schools, including many Jordan students, left school to show support for students affected by federal law

enforcement in Durham.

DPS students in downtown Durham

“Students from different high schools from all over the Triangle gathered together to peacefully protest against the ICE raids,” explained Jonah, a junior from Jordan who attended the protest.

Students gathered in CCB Plaza for several hours, many giving speeches, chanting, and holding posters with supportive messages, with some individuals marching around the downtown area. Many cars honked in support of the students as they passed by.

Jordan students at the protest

“It was beautiful to see the unity and love when my city came together,” shared Rocco, a junior from Jordan. The sense of community amongst the students created an atmosphere of connection and positive energy, despite the frustration many felt about the situation. Many community members supported the protesters, including a group of students who made homemade guacamole at a folding table, and a parent brought dozens of pizzas.

The goal of this protest was to speak out in support of the many families affected by ICE’s presence in the Triangle, including many families in Durham Public Schools. These students made it a priority to show up for their friends and neighbors by attending the protest, many aiming to make it clear that federal law enforcement has no place in Durham.