An estimated 700 Denver school students spilled out of five schools Friday afternoon to march and rally in protest of President-elect Donald Trump, echoing demonstrations that wound through downtown streets on Thursday night.
Students from multiple Denver Public Schools campuses walked up to about two miles, chanting and carrying signs, before rallying in a parking lot at the intersection of Louisiana Street and Federal Boulevard. Protesters left Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, KIPP Denver, STRIVE Prep Westwood and STRIVE Prep SMART Academy and DSST College View High School.
They were monitored along the way by DPS security personnel and Denver police, who cleared a traffic lane to ensure safe passage to and from the rally.
DPS officials were aware that students intended to march and encouraged them to express their opinions about the recent election on campus, though many students took to the streets. Some motorists honked in support while others expressed disagreement, said DPS spokesman Will Jones.
“Student leaders were very vocal saying they wanted to protest,” said Jones. “We encouraged all our kids to have their voices heard on campus. We had supports in place so that if they had something positive or negative to say, they didn’t hold anything in. Some of our kids took advantage, and for some that was enough. Some wanted to make sure their voices were heard through a walkout.”
DPS students in Far Northeast Denver marched and rallied on Thursday, Jones noted. Protesters from Martin Luther King Jr. Early College walked to the Montbello campus, where they gathered for about an hour.
Jones said he knows of no plans for students to continue the walkouts next week.
“Based on fact that that they’ve had chances to express themselves on campus, and have had opportunities to be heard through the walkout, we’re hopeful education will be back on campus next week,” he said. “That’s our hope going into the weekend.”
DPS urged anyone with questions or concerns about the student walkouts to call the DPS Family & Community Helpline at 720-423-3054.
“We’re working with DPS safety and security to keep an eye on students to make sure they get where they’re going safely,” said Denver police spokesman Doug Schepman.