Phoenix high school students walk out after Trump removes DACA

PHOENIX — Students at a Phoenix high school walked out of class on Tuesday to protest President Donald Trump’s decision to remove the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

News helicopters captured what appeared to be hundreds of students marching out of South Mountain High School near Seventh Street and Roeser Road.

The march ended outside of a Phoenix Police Department station, though some students later were taken by volunteers to a different protest outside Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s downtown Phoenix office.

The students walked out of a parking lot entrance and went west on Roeser Road. They then turned south at Seventh Street, essentially walking the perimeter of the school and surrounding neighborhood.

The crowd was led by students carrying a banner that read “What side are you on? DACA and no cops or Trump?”

The students primarily stuck to the sidewalk and bike lane, though a few ran into the street. Cars and buses slowed while passing, with some drivers seemingly waving and showing support.

Several Phoenix police cars shadowed the group.

At least one bystander gave the students water.

Students at at least one other high school also walked out on Tuesday.

Trump’s decision to end DACA was met with mixed reactions by lawmakers in Arizona. Numerous officials said ending the program put a lot of pressure on Congress to come up with a permanent solution.