March 5, 2003

San Antonio Youth Walkout
from Leti Guerra

Yesterday a practically unplanned demonstration sprouted out from the energy of our young folk. San antonio high school students took the initiative to walk-out of schools in protest of the bush administration's push for war in Iraq.

As an organizing group, we at SAYSO! (San Antonio Youth Speak Out!) decided not to strike on the 5th because we thought it was not enough time to reach out to so many schools where we do not have any connections or know of any peace group presence. So, we decided to have a strike meeting on the 5th rather than the strike itself, but a few high school kids wanted to walk out and they did!!!! Somehow word got around to several high schools and we had a presence from at least 5 schools with participants ranging from a one-student walk-out to a 32-student walk out. Several hundred of these teens converged at San Antonio College for a rally. We had no plans and made it all up as we went along. The energy was so great - so awesome, that someone shouted "Do y'all want to take this downtown?" and the crowd said "YES!". So a spontaneous march emerged!!!! We had the media following us around. Several people walking, standing around, or driving by gave us their support in honks and cheers and smiles and thumbs up. It was GREAT!

At our meeting last night, where there were about 40 young people, representing TWELVE high schools and two colleges, we decided to make Friday April 4th our next day of action. It is to be a CITY_WIDE STUDENT DAY of action. We are encouraging the students themselves to organize at their schools in their own way. And we may then have a meeting/rally/party that night.

I am sooooooo excited because these are not college kids, these are high-schoolers who many are becoming active for the first time.

Yesterday was awsome and I just have this renewed energy. Many of the kids were nervous, and many are scared of the consequences they face when they go back to school today - as they were threatened by their schools with suspension and some with expulsion. Taft H.S. blockaded those that walked out with scores of police officers. Edison H.S. actually locked the doors until one quick thinking protester called 911 and said that locked doors equaled a fire hazard and in less than 5 minutes, sirans rang and doors were unlocked and students were walking out! They were committed. They ALL said it was worth it.

We will continue out efforts with this new energy. I am so excited.

-Leti
Food Not Bombs San Antonio
San Antonio Youth Speak Out!
San Antonio PeaceCOALITION